mmmm 


r  .  .  .  :  J  I  i  1  ,  i  .  I  ,  1  .  I  ,  7  J  I  ,  I  ;  T  , ; . ;  ,  -      . 


THE  LIBRARY  OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF 

NORTH  CAROLINA 


THE  COLLECTION  OF 
NORTH  CAROLINIANA 

ENDOWED  BY 

JOHN  SPRUNT  HILL 

CLASS  OF  1889 


C     8\5 
B81W 


Other  Books  by  Mr.  Brady 

FOR  LOVE  OF  COUNTRY 

FOR   THE   FREEDOM   OF  THE  SEA 

THE  GRIP  OF  HONOR 

AMERICAN  FIGHTS  AND  FIGHTERS 

STEPHEN   DECATUR 

COMMODORE   JOHN    PAUL    JONES 

REUBEN    JAMES:     A    Hero    of   the 
Forecastle 

RECOLLECTIONS    OF    A    MISSION- 
ARY IN   THE  GREAT  WEST 


l*iw5ri^*4i««Sfe*4^' 


WHEN  BLADES 
ARE  O  IT  T  AND 
LOVE'S    AFIELD 

A  COMEDY  OF  CKOSS-PL'KPOSES 
IX  THE   CAROLIXAS 

BY 

Cyrus  Townsend  Brady 

ll'ith  Illustrations  by 

E.   PLAISTED    ABBOTT 

Atid  Decorations  by 
EDWARD    STRATTON    HOLLOWAY 


PHILADELPHIA   ^   LONDON 

J.    B.    LIPPINCOTT    COMPANY 

M  D  C  C  C  C  I 


>N*^ 


f^WWfc  ^jK^ 


\mm 


V*ift' 


C  O  P  Y  K  I  c;  H  T,     1900,     BY 
J.    B.    LIPPINCOTT    COMPANY 

COPYRIGHT,     I  90  I,     BY 
|.    B.    LIPPINCOTT    COMPANY 

All  rights  reserved 


Electroiyped  and  Printed 

By  J.  B.  Lippincntt  Company 

Philadelphia,   U.S.A. 


DEDICATION 

A    DIALOGUE    BETWEEN    THE    AUTHOR    AND 
A    LADY 

The  Lady.  Do  you  draw  your  heroines  from  real 
life,  sir  ? 

The  Author.  Sometimes,  not  always.  You  see  I 
only  know  one  heroine  in  real  life. 

The  Lady.      And  she  is  ? 

The  Author.      My  wife  ! 

The  Lady.  Did  she  prove  her  heroism  by  marry- 
ing you  ? 

The  Author.  By  Hving  with  me  after  she  had 
done  so.  Madam  ! 

With  an  ever-increasing  sense  of  her  persistent  heroism, 

therefore,  the  author  gratefully  inscribes 

this  little  book  to  his  wife. 


MARY    BARRETT    BRADY 


"  In  peace,  Love  tunes  the  shepherd's  reed  ; 
In  war,  he  mounts  the  warrior' s  steed  ; 
In  halls,  in  gay  attire  is  seen  ; 
In  hamlets,  dances  on  the  green. 
Love  rules  the  court,  the  camp,  the  grove, 
And  men  below  and  saints  above  ; 
For  love  is  heaven,  and  heaven  is  love." 

Lay  of  the  Last  Minstrel.      Scott 


V 

d^ 

^ 

^ 

^ 
^ 


BOOK    I 

A    HOUSE    DIVIDED 


CHAPTER 


I. — A  Wild  Night  in  the  South  .      .      .      . 

II.  —  General  Greene  and  Captain  Baird  hear 

Tidings 

BOOK    II 

PLAYING    AT    CROSS-PURPOSES 

III.  —  Tzuo  Meditative  Gentlemen  upon  the  Hill 
IV. —  The  Ladies  talk  of  Hearts     .... 
V. — An  Interesting  Occurrence  on  the  Stairs 

BOOK    III 

IN    BATTLE    JOINED 

VI.  —  What  happened  at  Guilford  .... 
VII.  —  Ccesar'  s  Tenth  Legion 


PAGE 
32 


53 
62 

11 


95 
1 1 1 


5 


Contents 


CHAPTER 

PAGE 

VIII.- 

"  Ohy  the  Wild  Charge  they  made  P 

'            126 

IX. 

— Lord  Cornwallis  pay  an  Awful  Price      i  3  7 

X. 

—Jfter  the  Battle — Hearts  !    .      . 
BOOK    IV 

A     RIDE    FOR     LOVE 

•            149 

XI.- 

A  Grim  Match-Maker     .      .      . 

.            165 

XII.- 

—  Toung  Lochinvar 

•            177 

XIIL- 

— Love  on  the  Saddle-Bow  . 

191 

XIV.- 

—  Within  the  Stockade    .... 

200 

XV. 

— **  Fantastic  as  a  Woman' s  Mood"" 

209 

XVI.- 

— For  Military  Purposes  only    . 
BOOK    V 

AT    LAST    UNITED 

223 

XVII.- 

—  The  Leaguer  of  Over  brook    . 

237 

XVIII.- 

—  The  Sortie  of  Sarah   .... 

252 

XIX.- 

—  The  Interrogation  of  the  Prisoner 

263 

XX.- 

—  Captor  and  Captive 

277 

XXI.- 

— Sir  Francis  demands  a  Bride 

287 

XXII.- 

— Sarah  claims  her  Prisoner 

299 

ILLUSTRATIONS 


PAGK 


'*  I  marry  you  because  I  love  you'"'  Frontispiece 

*'  I  grieve  to  trespass  upon  your  hospitality''''     .  23 

Tbey  crossed  blades  in  the  smoke  on  the  stairs   .  86 

IsabeT  s  eyes  were  roving  over  the  field       .      .  147 

''Ready!      Charge!'' 158 

Like  a  pink-and-white  fiower 182 

**  / — / — was  so  hungry!'"'  she  urged,  piteous ly  270 

**  He  is  my  prisoner'^ 302 


THIS  romance  of  love  and  war  is 
written  to  amuse.  But  if  the  gentle 
reader  should  be  thereby  stimulated  to 
inquire  more  closely  into  the  character 
and  career  of  General  Nathanael  Greene, 
the  author  is  sure  that  the  search  would 
be  richly  rewarded  by  the  knowledge 
gained  of  the  great  Rhode  Islander. 

Next  to  Washington,  this  "  New  Eng- 
land Blacksmith,"  who  so  highly  educated 
himselt  that,  for  relaxation,  he  read  the 
Latin  Poets  in  the  original  by  the  light  of 
the  camp-fire,  stands  as  the  most  brilliant 
soldier — strategist,  tactician,  and  fighter — 
of  the  Revolution.     Indeed,  he  takes  no 

9 


Prefatory   Note 


mean  place  in  the  long  roll  of  those  who 
have,  since  and  before  his  day,  *'  set  a 
squadron  in  the  field,"  in  the  United 
States,  or  in  the  world  even. 

And  his   character  was  as  great  as  his 


genius  I 

OvERBROOK,  Pennsylvania 
October,  1900 


C.  T.  B. 


BOOK    I 
A  HOUSE  DIVIDED    J 


5^1  ^I^LY  on  the  night  of  the 
first  of  February  in  the  year 
1781  a  lonely  horseman,  the 

@''>^>s^*F\f<^B  hop^  o^  ^^^  South,  nay,  of 
i£)^  4JQ  ^m  the  new  nation  strugghng 
into  existence  in  the  labor-pains  of  the 
Revolution,  sat  his  weary  steed  on  one 
of  the  highways  of  North  Carolina,  anx- 
iously awaiting  news.  The  horse  was 
tired  to  death.  As  he  stood  with  droop- 
ing head  under  the  trees  by  the  side  of  the 
road,  he  trembled  with  cold  and  fatigue. 

13 


When   Blades  are  Out 


His  rider,  drenched  to  the  bone  by  the 
cold,  beating  rain  in  spite  of  the  long  mili- 
tary coat  wrapped  about  him,  was  no  less 
weary.  Man  and  beast  were  splashed  with 
the  mud  and  road-stains  of  the  long,  hard 
ride  they  had  just  finished. 

The  wild  night  and  the  unsettled  state 
of  a  country,  alternately  in  the  possession 
of  opposing  armies  and  subjected  to  ruth- 
less raids  of  irrepressible  partisans,  kept 
those  who  had  no  business  abroad  safely 
within-doors  ;  consequently,  when  the  slow, 
splashing  plod  of  a  horse's  feet  in  the  sod- 
den road  became  audible  above  the  noise 
of  the  tempest,  the  waiting  horseman 
forced  his  jaded  steed  out  from  the  shelter 
of  the  trees  and,  loosening  his  sword  in  its 
scabbard,  cautiously  turned  toward  the  ap- 
proaching rider,  giving  at  the  same  time  a 
low  whistle,  which  was  promptly  answered 
by  two  similar  ones.  Greatly  relieved,  the 
watcher  turned  his  horse  into  the  road  and 

14 


And  Love's  Afield 


the  two  men  met.  The  latest  comer  reined 
in  his  horse  abruptly  when  he  saw  the  first, 
and,  lifting  his  hand  to  his  wet  helmet, 
queried,  softly, — 

"  General  V 

"  Yes,  'tis  I,  Mr.  Grey.     What  news  *?" 

"  Bad,  sir,"  answered  the  officer,  briefly. 
"  Stewart  has  crossed  at  Beatty's  Ford, 
attacked  and  dispersed  the  militia  detach- 
ment on  guard  there,  after  killing  the 
commander.  General  Davidson.  Cornwal- 
lis  is  over  the  Catawba  in  hot  pursuit  of 
Huger " 

"  Poor  Davidson  !  He  died  as  he  would 
have  preferred,  in  defence  of  his  country. 
Has  anything  been  heard  of  Morgan  ?" 

'*  Nothing  yet,  sir." 

"  I  would  to  Heaven  I  could  get  some 
word  from  him !"  continued  the  other,  in 
great  anxiety.  "  If  I  could  join  his  forces 
with  those  of  Huger  again,  I  think  we 
could  show  his  Lordship  a  clean  pair  of 

15 


When   Blades  are  Out 


heels  until  the  time  comes  to  strike.  Pray 
God  it  may  come  quickly  !"  he  added,  with 
repressed  vehemence. 

"  Amen,  sir,"  assented  the  younger  offi- 
cer, with  the  heartiness  of  youth  to  whom 
fighting  was  natural  as  breathing. 

'*  I  must  get  word  to  Morgan  of  this  last 
bad  tidings  somehow,  and  I  have  not  a 
single  staff-officer  left  to  send.  I  have  used 
them  up  in  messages  in  every  direction, 
trying  to  rouse  the  militia." 

"  Send  me,  sir,"  promptly  volunteered 
the  young  man  before  him.  "  I  have  only 
ridden  a  few  miles ;  my  mare's  got  lots 
left  in  her  yet.  I  will  go  back  into  Salis- 
bury and  follow  the  road  southwest  from 
there.     Perhaps  I  can  learn  something." 

"  A  brave  offer,  my  friend,"  remarked  the 
General,  gratefully,  extending  his  hand, 
"  and  I  accept  it.  Go,  and  may  God  go 
with  you !  Find  Morgan.  Warn  him 
that  Cornwallis  is  over  the  Catawba.     Tell 

i6 


And   Love's  Afield 


him  for  God's  sake  to  push  on  to  the 
north  with  all  speed  !  This  is  supposing 
that  he  has  not  met  Tarleton,  or  by  any 
chance  has  defeated  him.  Tell  him  to 
meet  us  at  Guilford  Court-House  if  possi- 
ble. I  will  order  that  the  march  of  the 
other  detachment  be  delayed  as  much  as  is 
prudent  until  he  join  us." 

"  Very  good,  sir,"  replied  the  subaltern, 
turning  away. 

"  And  get  word  to  me  of  anything  you 
learn  at  the  earliest  possible  moment.  By 
the  way,  is  there  not  some  farm-house  or 
plantation  near  by  where  I  can  pass  the 
night'?  This  is  your  country,  I  believe. 
Do  you  know  any  one  who — 


5) 


"  There  is  Judge  Burton's  seat,  which 
hes  about  two  miles  down  the  road  toward 
Salisbury,  sir.  You  will  easily  recognize 
it.  It  is  a  great  old  place  built  of  logs,  on 
a  high  hill,  with  the  beginnings  of  a  stock- 
ade around  it.  It  lies  about  a  half-mile  to 
'        .  .7 


When   Blades  are  Out 


the  right  of  the  road  after  you  cross  the 
river.     You  can't  mistake  the  way,  sir." 

"  I  shall  find  it,  never  fear,"  said  the  older 
man. 

"  'Tis  called  '  Overbrook,'  sir,"  continued 
the  younger  man.  "  Well,  sir,  good-by." 
He  saluted  with  precision  and  wheeled  his 
horse  sharply. 

"  Good-by,"  returned  the  General,  and 
waiting  until  the  young  horseman  had  dis- 
appeared in  the  darkness,  "  God  grant  he 
get  the  word  to  Morgan  in  time  !"  he  mur- 
mured, half  in  prayer. 

Presently,  as  the  sound  of  the  gallop  was 
lost  in  the  noise  of  the  storm,  he  shook  the 
reins  over  the  neck  of  his  own  horse  and 
plodded  slowly  down  the  road,  a  prey  to 
anxiety  so  great  that  he  lost  sight  of 
everything  about  him. 

Cornwallis  with  a  small  but  well-ap- 
pointed army  had  completely  overrun  the 
Carolinas.     Fie   had   defeated  Gates   with 

i8 


And   Love's  Afield 


frightful  loss  at  Camden  the  year  before, 
and  the  General,  who  had  been  called  from 
successful  campaigning  with  Washington 
in  Northern  fields,  found  himself  confronted 
by  a  tremendous  problem.  With  an  army 
too  insignificant  in  numbers  and  too  poor 
in  material  successfully  to  cope  with  that  of 
Cornwallis,  yet  confronted  with  a  situation 
which  demanded  action,  he  had  taken  the 
dangerous  risk  of  dividing  his  force,  and 
had  sent  the  fiower  of  his  command  far  to 
the  westward  under  stout  old  Daniel  Mor- 
gan to  threaten  the  British  communications, 
in  the  hope  that  Cornwallis  would  delay 
his  advance,  or  divide  his  forces,  or  retreat. 
A  month  had  passed  without  tidings  of 
this  force, — a  month  of  harrowing  anxiety 
filled  with  appalling  rumors  of  disaster. 

Meanwhile,  Cornwallis,  who  had  also 
divided  his  army  to  meet  the  two  Ameri- 
can detachments  and  delayed  his  approach 
for  a  time,  had  at  last  assumed  the  offensive 

19 


When   Blades  are  Out 


again.  That  day  he  had  forced  the  passage 
of  the  Catawba  River,  dispersed  the  mihtia 
guard  with  considerable  loss,  and  was  now 
pursuing  the  main  body  of  the  American 
army  under  Huger.  The  American  com- 
mander himself  had  ridden  down  toward 
Salisbury  attended  by  a  meagre  staff,  the 
different  members  of  which  had  been  de- 
spatched upon  various  pressing  errands,  in 
the  hope  that  he  might  obtain  information 
about  Morgan's  detachment.  Whatever 
had  been  Morgan's  course,  if  his  detach- 
ment were  still  in  existence,  it  was  imoera- 
tive  that  a  junction  be  effected  between 
it  and  the  main  body,  else  the  cause  of  the 
South  would  be  lost.  Sure,  black  care 
rode  behind  the  horseman  that  wretched 
night,  and  in  his  preoccupation  he  almost 
forgot  his  destination.  It  was  not  until  the 
hoofs  of  the  horse  rang  hollow  on  the 
planks  of  the  wooden  bridge    across  the 

river  that  he  recalled  his  intention. 

20 


And  Love's  Afield 


Turning  to  the  right,  he  rode  for  a  short 
distance  until  he  came  to  a  hill,  which  he 
slowly  ascended.  The  top  was  surrounded 
by  a  half-completed  stockade ;  fortunately 
he  found  the  gate  had  been  left  open.  He 
rode  through  the  opening  and  drew  rein 
before  the  porch  of  the  house  which  the 
palisade  enclosed,  a  large,  low,  rambling 
two-story  building,  which  appeared  to  be 
built  of  logs.  Lights  were  streaming  out 
into  the  night  through  cracks  in  the  shut- 
ters. Dismounting  and  leaving  his  horse, 
which  was  in  no  mood  for  unnecessary 
activity,  he  strode  across  the  porch  and 
knocked  with  the  hilt  of  his  sword  against 
the  door.  As  he  stepped  forward  he  heard 
the  sound  of  conversation  and  laughter, 
which  ceased  suddenly  as  he  knocked. 

"  How  can  people  laugh,"  he  thought, 
wearily,  as  he  waited  for  a  reply,  "  when 
their  country  is  in  such  a  plight  ?" 

"  Who  knocks  ?"  cried  an  old  and  im- 

21 


When   Blades  are  Out 


perious  voice  on  the  other  side  of  the 
door. 

"  A  soldier." 

"  What  sort  of  a  soldier?" 

"  An  American  officer,  a  Continental, 
seeking  shelter  from  the  storm," 

"  We  keep  no "  began  the  man  in- 
side, when  he  was  interrupted  by  a  sweeter, 
sex-betraying  voice,  which  exclaimed, — 

"  Father,  is  this  your  hospitality  ?  Open 
the  door !" 

"  My  thanks  to  you,  madam,"  cried  the 
officer  outside ;  "  I  pledge  you  my  word 
I  come  on  peaceful  errand,  and  only  seek 
shelter  for  my  tired  horse  and  myself  for 
the  night." 

As  he  spoke  the  door  was  unbarred  and 
opened,  and  the  brilliant  light  from  a  warm, 
cheerful  room  streamed  out  around  him. 

A  tall  old  man  was  standing  in  the  door- 
way and  by  his  side  a  young  woman.  As 
the  light  fell  upon  the  person  of  the  trav- 


22 


lil 


*<Xf^ 


"  I  gi-ieve  to  trespass  on  your  hospitalit\" 


MJ/* 


And   Love's  Afield 


eller  the  old  man  started  back  with  a  frown, 
exclaiming,  in  surprise, — 

"  General  Greene  I  You  here,  and  alone, 
sir?" 

"  Yes,  sir,"  answered  the  General,  gravely, 
stepping  forward, ''  tired,  hungry,  alone,  and 
penniless." 

"  Enter,  sir,  you  are  welcome,"  said  the 
young    woman,    graciously.     "  My   father 

belongs  to  the  other  side,  but  I We 

would  refuse  shelter  to  no  one  on  such  a 
night  as  this." 

"  I  grieve  to  trespass  upon  your  hospi- 
tality under  such  circumstances,"  said  Gen- 
eral Greene,  stepping  within  the  door  and 
standing  with  the  water  dripping  from  his 
long  cloak  and  forming  little  pools  on 
the  floor ;  but  by  this  time  the  old  Tory 
had  recovered  himself,  and  with  cold  and 
stately  courtesy  he  bade  the  General  enter, 
at  the  same  time  directing  one  of  the  slaves 
to  take  his  horse  to  the  stable. 

23 


When   Blades  are  Out 


As  the  door  closed  behind  them  the 
General  found  himself  in  a  large,  low 
room,  which  extended  clear  through  the 
house.  Upon  one  side  a  broad  flight  of 
steps  led  to  an  upper  story,  and  on  the 
other  a  bright  fire  was  blazing  and  crackling 
in  a  huge  open  fireplace.  The  floor  was 
covered  with  bear-skin  rugs  and  cases  of 
books  mingled  with  stands  of  arms,  while 
swords  and  trophies  of  the  chase  adorned 
the  walls.  On  one  side  of  this  living-hall 
was  the  drawing-room,  furnished  with  all 
the  elegance  of  that  day,  and  on  the  other 
side  the  dining-room.  Through  the  door- 
way a  massive  sideboard  was  seen  covered 
with  gleaming  glass  and  shining  plate,  and 
a  well-stocked  buffet  bespoke  the  wealth 
of  the  owner,  as  the  books  indicated  his 
culture  and  the  weapons  his  courage. 

In  the  room,  besides  the  master  and  his 

daughter    Isabel,    two    other    people    were 

standing,  one  a  younger  and  smaller  girl, 

24 


And   Love's  Afield 


the  niece  of  the  Judge,  and  the  other  a  tall, 
handsome,  distinguished-looking  man,  who 
had  hastily  thrown  a  long  cloak  about  him 
as  the  door  had  been  opened. 

"  General  Greene,  my  daughter   Isabel, 

Miss  Sarah  Burton,  my  niece,  and "  said 

the  Judge,  formally  presenting  the  soldier. 

"  Your  pardon,  Mr.  Justice,"  promptly 
broke  in  the  tall  young  man  in  the  cloak, 
"you  need  not  introduce  me  to  General 
Greene.  My  present  business  requires  that 
I  preserve  my  incognito." 

"  As  you  please,"  remarked  the  Judge  ; 
"  the  General  will,  I  am  sure,  respect  your 
wishes  in  these  troublous  times.  As  my 
daughter  has  said,  sir,  I  am  a  loyalist.  My 
father  fought  for  King  George,  and  I  am 
too  old  to  change  my  politics  now.  At 
the  same  time,  I  make  you  welcome  for 
the  night  as  an  individual.  Mav  I  not 
offer  you  some  refreshment?  It  is  some 
hours  since  you  supped,  doubtless  *?" 

25 


When   Blades  are  Out 


"  Yes,"  replied  General  Greene,  smiling, 
"  it  is.  I  think  that  I  supped  night  before 
last,  and  I  have  a  dim  idea  that  I  had  break- 
fast this  morning,  but  it  was  of  so  slight 
a  nature  that  I  can  scarcely  be  sure  of 
it." 

"  Mercy  I"  cried  the  smaller  woman. 
"  To  what  a  pitch  has  the  Revolution  been 
reduced  I  Supper  night  before  last  and 
breakfast  this  morning !  I  think  a  general 
might  at  least  get  something  to  eat  out  of 
an  army " 

"  He  could  hardly  eat  his  soldiers, 
though,"  answered  the  American  officer, 
simply,  "  and  in  my  army  the  general  fares 
no  better  than  the  private.  But  I  beg  you 
not  to  inconvenience  yourself  on  my  ac- 
count ;  we  are  used  to  it,"  he  added, 
smiling  again. 

"  We  are  proud  to  serve  you,  sir,"  ex- 
claimed Isabel.  "  Know,  sir,"  she  contin- 
ued, "that  we   are  Americans,  heart  and 

26 


And   Love's  Afield 


soul  I  My  father  did  not  fight  for  the 
King.  Come,  Sarah,  let  us  get  something 
for  the  General  ourselves." 

"  ^lay  Heaven  bless  you  for  your  kind 
words  and  kind  actions  I"  answered  the 
soldier,  as  he  sat  down  before  a  table  and 
rested  his  head  upon  his  hands  in  deep 
thought  and  dejection.  Presently,  as  he 
found  placed  before  him  by  the  hands  of 
the  two  girls  the  best  meal  that  he  had 
tasted  for  a  long  time,  he  brightened,  and 
remarked,  gratefully,  "  See  how  your  kind- 
ness has  changed  my  condition.  Though 
wet  still  and  tired  too,  I  am  no  longer 
alone.  In  a  moment  I  shall  be  no  longer 
hungry — 


)) 


"  And  when  you  take  this,"  interrupted 
Sarah,  drawing  a  small  netted  purse  from 
the  pocket  of  her  dress,  "  you  will  not  even 

be  penniless." 

i. 

"  Sarah !     Sarah  !"  remarked  the  Judge, 

reprovingly. 

27 


When  Blades  are  Out 


"  Sir  I  Sir !"  responded  Sarah,  courtesy- 
ing,  "  'tis  my  money,  I  believe,  and  though 
the  amount  be  but  little,  I  give  it  gladly  for 
the  cause  of  my  country  I" 

"  Let  me  add  my  contribution,"  cried 
Isabel,  supplementing  Sarah's  gift  with  a 
larger  and  more  bulky  purse. 

"  To  think,"  groaned  the  Judge,  "  that 
my  own  money,  in  the  hand  of  my  way- 
ward daughter,  goes  to  support  a  cause  I 
abhor  I  General  Greene,  you  cannot  ac- 
cept— 


)j 


"  Sir,"  said  the  General,  quietly,  "  in  the 
service  of  my  country  I  accept  everything 
but  insult.  This  little  sum,"  lifting  the 
two  purses  in  his  hand,  "  insignificant  as  it 
is,  represents  the  treasure-chest  of  the 
American  army.  It  will  perhaps  put  shoes 
on  some  barefoot  soldier,  feed  a  few  hun- 
gry men,  give  a  musket  to  another,  further 
the  cause  of  liberty  by  some  trifle  in  some 
other  way.     I  take  it  gratefully,  as  it  is 


28 


And   Love's  Afield 


given  generously.  'Tis  by  such  trifles  as 
these  that  revolutions  are  made,  sir." 

"  If  Justice  Burton  desires  that  the  money 
be  returned,"  remarked  the  tall  stranger, 
rising,  "  I  shall  have  great  pleasure  in  se- 
curing it."  As  he  spoke  he  stepped  threat- 
eningly toward  General  Greene,  who  met 
his  advance  without  moving  a  muscle. 
Shooting  at  him  a  glance  of  determi- 
nation and  authority,  the  General  cried, 
sharply, — 

"  Retire,  sir,  and  presume  not  to  med- 
dle   with    that    which    does    not    concern 


you 

"  Meddle,  sir  I"  cried  the  other,  indig- 
nantly.    "  You  shall  answer " 

"  By  no  means,"  interrupted  Judge  Bur- 
ton. "  There  shall  be  no  quarrelling  here  I 
The  amount  is  but  a  trifle,  besides " 

"  You  forget   yourself,  sir  I"  exclaimed 

Isabel,  turning  on  the  young  man,  her  face 

flushing  with  anger,  her  blue  eyes  flashing. 

29 


When   Blades  are  Out 


"  By  what  right  do  you  presume  to  inter- 
fere r 

"  Sir  Fran — the  Colonel,  that  is,  does 
not  wish  to  see  the  property  of  his  be- 
trothed devoted  to  the  cause  of  the  Revo- 
lution," interjected  Sarah,  sharply,  her  black 
eyes  sparkling  with  mockery  and  laughter. 
It  was  an  insulting  remark,  and  the  face  of 
the  tall  young  man,  whom  the  girl  had 
addressed  as  Colonel,  darkened. 

"  Will  you  never  cease  to  harp  on  that 
string?"  he  muttered,  turning  toward  her 
irresolutely. 

"  Not  so  long  as  it  is  stretched  so  taut 
that  it  vibrates  at  a  touch,  sir,"  she  answered, 
mockingly. 

"  And  I  should  like  to  know,  sir,"  con- 
tinued General  Greene,  calmly,  "  by  what 
right  you  presume  to  interfere  with  the 
affairs  of  the  American  army.  Am  I  to 
hold  you  an  enemy  to  the  cause  *?" 

"  Hold  me  as  you  like,  sir,"  responded 

30 


And   Love's  Afield 


the  other,  carelessly,  "  'tis  a  matter  of  indif- 
ference to  me." 

"  Your  name,  sir,  and  station,"  asked  the 
General,  sternly. 
My  name  is — 


«( 


» 


UT  before  the  answer  was 
delivered  the  sound  of  a 
horse  splashing  through 
the  mud  at  a  hard  gallop 
broke  upon  the  party.  As 
Greene  had  done,  the  horse  was  stopped 
before  the  porch,  and  a  man  sprang  from  the 
saddle,  rushed  up  to  the  door,  upon  which 
he  thundered  with  the  butt  of  his  pistol. 

"  Open  I"  cried  an  excited  voice.  "  Open 
immediately  in  the  name  of  the  Conti- 
nental Congress  I" 

32 


And  Love's  Afield 


"  That  is  a  name,  sir,"  shouted  the  old 
Judge,  infuriated  by  this  new  interruption, 
"  which  carries  no  power  here  I" 

"  General  Greene  I"  cried  the  man  out- 
side. "  He  is  here,  I  am  told  !  I  have 
tidings  of  importance  !  I  must  see  him  I 
Open  at  once,  or  I  will  force  the  door !" 

"  Try  it  I"  exclaimed  Judge  Burton,  with 
rising  choler,  but  on  the  instant  General 
Greene  stepped  quickly  toward  the  door. 
At  the  same  moment  the  tall  officer  sprang 
forward  to  prevent  him.  Sarah's  move- 
ment, however,  was  as  quick  as  his.  She 
caught  him  by  the  arm  and  detained  him 
for  a  second,  just  long  enough,  in  fact,  to 
enable  Greene  to  reach  and  unbar  the 
door. 

"  Well,  there  is  some  compensation," 
muttered  the  Colonel,  looking  down  at  the 
laughing  face  so  near  his  shoulder,  "in 
being  held  back  by  you,  after  all  !" 

"  Fie  I     This  from  Isabel's  betrothed  !" 

3  33 


When  Blades  are  Out 


whispered  the  girl,  smiling  at  him  as  the 
General  flung  open  the  door.  Instantly  a 
drenched  young  officer  in  a  faded,  worn- 
out  American  uniform,  wearing  a  shining 
leather  helmet  glistening  with  wet,  with  a 
draggled  brush  upon  it,  sprang  into  the 
room  and  saluted. 

"  General  Greene,"  he  said,  "  I  come 
from " 

"  Morgan  ?"  the  General  cried,  his  face 
aflame  with  anxiety  and  hope. 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  And  your  news  V 

"  Victory  I" 

"  Praise  be  to  God  I  Where  was 
itr 

"  At  the  Cowpens  on  the  French  Broad. 
Tarleton  attacked  us  on  the  morning  of 
the  1 7th.  He  was  utterly  and  entirely  de- 
feated !  We  killed  and  wounded  some 
three  hundred,  took  six  hundred  and  fifty 
prisoners,  captured  one  thousand  stand  of 

34 


And  Love's  Afield 


arms,  two  field-pieces,  two  colors,  and 
thirty-four  wagons  with  their  horses.  Gen- 
eral Morgan  is  now  pushing  hard  for  the 
Yadkin.  Colonel  Tarleton  was  wounded 
by  Colonel  Washington.  I  met  Lieutenant 
Grey  at  Salisbury.  He  rode  on  to  deliver 
your  orders  to  General  Morgan,  and  told 
me  you  were  here." 

"  Thank  God  !  Thank  God  !"  cried 
Greene,  fervently.     "  And  our  loss  ?" 

''  Seventy-three,  sir  !" 

"  Wonderful !  Your  name  and  rank, 
sir  ?" 

"  Baird,  Curtis  Baird,  sir.  I  am  a  lieu- 
tenant in  Washington's  horse." 

"  I  shall  remember  it,  and  as  soon  as 
there  is  a  vacancy  you  shall  have  a  cap- 
taincy." The  General  sank  into  deep 
thought  for  a  few  moments. 

"  Has  Lieutenant  Baird  no  word  of 
greeting  for  me*?"  asked  Isabel,  quietly, 
stepping  out  from  the  corner  of  the  room, 

35 


When  Blades  are  Out 


where  in  shadow  she  had  Hstened  to  him 
deliver  his  message. 

"  Isabel !  Miss  Burton  I  You  here  !" 
he  cried,  in  surprise,  his  face  flushing  as  he 
looked  upon  her.  The  next  moment  he 
sprang  eagerly  forward,  but  stopped  sud- 
denly in  the  face  of  her  uplifted  palm. 

"  Why  not  here  ?"  she  cried.  "  It  is  my 
home.  I  bid  you  welcome  to  it,  and  I 
congratulate  you  on  your  news,"  she  added, 
extending  her  hand.  He  seized  it,  bent 
low  over  it,  carried  it  to  his  lips,  exclaim- 
ing,— 

"  It  is  worth  the  victory  to  be  so  con- 
gratulated I  Oh,  Isabel,  since  I  saw  you  at 
Charleston " 


"  'Tis  a  bad  lookout  for  a — soldier  of 
fortune,  that,  sir,"  whispered  Sarah,  mean- 
ingly, to  the  Colonel,  still  restraining  him, 
as  General  Greene  once  more  entered  the 
conversation. 

"  Justice  Burton,  I  am  afraid  that  I  shall 

36 


And  Love's  Afield 


not  have  the  privilege  of  passing  the  night 
under  your  roof,  after  all.  This  news  is 
of  such  importance  that  I  must  ride  at 
once,  and  ride  hard.  Captain  Baird,  you 
are  weary,  perhaps  too  worn  out  to  go  on  ?" 

"  No,  sir,  not  in  the  service  of  my  coun- 
try, but  my  horse " 

"  Ah  !"  said  Greene. 

"  He  can  hardly  go  another  step." 

"  True  ;  and  mine  is  in  an  equally  bad 
condition."  He  paused  a  moment.  "  Jus- 
tice Burton,  I  fear  we  will  have  to  trespass 
further  upon  your  hospitality.  Can  you — 
will  you — let  us  have  a  horse  apiece '?  We 
will  leave  our  own  in  pledge — 


5J 


"  No,  sir,  I  will  not !"  thundered  the 
Judge — "  not  to  save  the  rebel  army  or  its 
chief  from  destruction !  What !  My 
horses  for  the  enemies  of  the  King !" 

"  Then  we  will  have  to  take  them,  Mr. 
Justice,"  said  the  younger  man,  bluntly. 

"  And  who  are  you,  to  do  this  thing  *?" 


When   Blades  are  Out 


cried  the  Colonel,  forgetting  his  desire  for 
concealment  in  his  anger.  He  shook  him- 
self free  from  Sarah  and  sprang  forward. 

"  And  who  are  you,  to  stop  us,  sir  ^" 
exclaimed  Baird,  resolutely. 

"  I  am  Sir  Francis  Duane,"  replied  the 
other,  promptly,  dropping  his  cloak  and 
revealing  the  uniform  of  a  British  soldier, 
"  a  lieutenant-colonel  on  Lord  Cornwallis' 
staff!" 

"  Ah,  so !"  returned  Baird,  promptly. 
"  We  take  you  prisoner,  then.  We  are  two 
to  one." 

"  No,  sir,  not  while  I  can  wield  a  sword," 
cried  the  Judge,  springing  to  the  side  of 
Sir  Francis,  who  seemed  in  no  wise  daunted. 
"  This  gentleman  is  my  guest,  as  was  Gen- 
eral Greene.  He  is  here  on  peaceful  er- 
rand to  see  his — my  daughter,  to  whom  he 
is  betrothed,  and  I  can  permit  no  disturb- 
ance in  the  house.  I  beg  you  to  retire, 
gentlemen." 

38 


And   Love's  Afield 


^(, 


"  Isabel  I     Betrothed  I"  exclaimed  Baird. 
Do  I  hear  aright  ?" 
"  Miss  Burton,  sir  I"  thundered  the  Judge, 
"  to  you  and  all  the  world  until — 


5j 


"  Until  she  becomes  Lady  Duane,"  said 
Sir  Francis,  finishing  the  sentence. 

"  Lieutenant    Baird,    I — I "  faltered 

Isabel. 

"  The  Justice  is  right,"  interrupted  the 
General.  "  Within  this  house  this  night 
there  is  peace.  Sir,  we  leave  you  unmo- 
lested, and  hope  for  an  untrammelled  meet- 
ing later." 

"  Your  courtesy  does  you  honor,  sir," 
replied  the  English  officer,  smiling  politely. 
"  I  hope  to  meet  you  on  the  battle-field. 
As  for  this  story  about  Morgan,  give  me 
leave  to  disbelieve  it." 

"  You  give  me  the  lie,  then,  sir,"  cried 
Baird,  starting  forward. 

"As  you  please,"  remarked  the  English- 
man, calmly. 

39 


When  Blades  are  Out 


"  We  will  settle  the  question  now, 
then." 

"  Put  up  your  sword,  Captain  Baird," 
peremptorily  said  General  Greene,  stepping 
between  them ;  "  you  are  in  the  service  of 
your  country,  and  I  doubt  not  before  long 
to  give  you  ample  opportunity  for  meeting 
Colonel  Sir  Francis  Duane  on  the  field. 
As  for  the  horses,  I  fear,  Mr.  Justice,  we 
must  take  them." 

"  Nay,"  cried  Isabel,  springing  forward, 
"  you  shall  have  my  horse  I" 

"  And  Captain  Baird  shall  have  mine  I" 
added  Sarah. 

"  We  will  take  them  as  freely  as  they  are 

given,  young  ladies,"  thankfully  continued 

the  General,  "  and  will  leave  our  own  in 

pledge  that  we  will  some  day  return  them. 

It  pains  me,"  he  added,  gravely,  looking  at 

Isabel,  "  that  you  are  betrothed  to  an  enemy 

of  your  country." 

"  'Tis  my  father's  wish,  not  mine,  sir." 

40 


And   Love's  Afield 


"  Isabel !"  cried  Sir  Francis. 

"  My  daughter  I"  exclaimed  the  Judge, 
threateningly. 

"  Ah,  well,"  said  the  General,  "  here  is  a 
house  divided.  At  any  rate,  your  kindness 
to  me  this  night  I  shall  never  forget. 
Come,  Mr.  Baird,  the  horses  are  at  the 
door.     We  must  get  on." 

"  Miss  Burton,"  said  the  latter,  bowing 
low  before  her,  "  I  wish  you  joy.  Fare- 
well I  As  for  you,  sir,"  he  continued,  sternly, 
inclining  toward  the  Englishman,  "  I  pray 
God  for  a  speedy  meeting  I"  He  turned 
sharply  on  his  heel,  clapped  his  helmet  on 
his  head,  lifted  his  sword,  and  followed  the 
General  out  of  the  room. 

"  Your  land  tenure  seems  insecure.  Sir 
Francis,"  remarked  the  aggravating  Sarah, 
sotto  voce  again. 

As  the  two  officers  rode  away.  Judge 
Burton  closed  the  door  behind  them  with 
an  inhospitable  crash.     Isabel  sank  down 

41 


When   Blades  are  Out 


in  a  chair,  buried  her  face  in  her  hands, 
and  sobbed  wildly.  Sarah  leaned  against 
the  wall,  contemplated  the  Colonel  with 
earnest  scrutiny,  and  laughed  bitterly. 
After  a  momentary  hesitation,  the  soldier 
stepped  over  to  Isabel's  side  and  laid  his 
hand  lightly  on  her  shoulder. 

"  A  nice  situation,  this  I"  he  remarked, 
wrathfully  ;  "  and  pleasant  actions  from  my 
prospective  bride." 

Isabel  shook  off  his  hand  and  made  no 
reply. 

"Have  you  nothing  to  say*?"  he  de- 
manded, and  then  his  eye  wandered  to 
where  Sarah  stood  regarding  him.  As  if 
the  interrogation  had  been  addressed  to  her, 
she  replied,  promptly, — 


"Nothing,  sir.  You  forget  I  am  not 
your  betrothed." 

"  I  would  to    Heaven    you "  burst 

forth  Sir  Francis,  his  eyes  flashing,  as  he 

half  turned  toward  the  girl,  who  laughed, 

42 


And   Love's  Afield 


shook  her  head,  and,  raising  her  finger,  re- 
marked,— 

"  Remember  the  broad  acres  and  the 
broken  treasury,  Sir  Francis  I" 

The  soldier  stamped  his  foot  in  vexation 
at  this  insulting  insinuation.  At  the  same 
time  Isabel  raised  her  head  and  looked  at 
her  father. 

"  Father,"  she  said,  "  I  cannot  do  it ! 
I " 

"  Silence,  girl !"  exclaimed  the  Judge. 
"  You  have  given  your  word.  It  has  been 
arranged  since  years  past  between  Duane's 
father  and  myself." 

"  I  will  hold  no  woman  as  an  unwilling 
bride,"  interrupted  Sir  Francis,  proudly. 

"  And  your  promise,  too,  has  been  given, 
sir.  The  betrothal  has  been  publicly  an- 
nounced," continued  the  Judge,  turning 
upon  him.  "  Let  there  be  no  more  of  this. 
The  affair  must  go  on.  Never  shall  it  be 
said  that  the  word  of  a  Burton  was  passed 

43 


When   Blades  are  Out 


in  vain  I  'Tis  a  suitable  match,  and  shall 
be  made — nay,  it  is  I  The  condition  of 
our  affairs  demands  it." 

"  But  that  American  ?"  responded  Duane, 
uncertainly. 

"  Isabel  shall  never  marry  an  enemy  to 
her  King !"  remarked  the  Judge,  solemnly, 
lifting  his  hand, — "  at  least,  not  with  my 
consent  and  blessing.  But  why  argue 
further*?     It  is  setded." 

"  Oh,  sir  !"  said  Isabel,  despairingly,  to 
Sir  Francis,  "  why  bring  up  the  old  sub- 
ject? As  you  say,  sir,"  turning  to  her 
father,  "  it  is  settled,  and  we  might  as  well 
go  on  with  it.  Sir  Francis,  as  I  have  said 
before,  I  respect  and  esteem  you,  and  I  am 
willing  to — be — 


j> 


"  Sacrificed,  you  would  say,  madam !" 
cried  the  young  man,  sharply.  "  'Tis  too 
much  !  But  I  must  be  away  I  I  must 
take  the  news  I  have  heard  about  Morgan, 
which  I   have   affected   to   disbelieve,  but 

44 


And  Love's  Afield 


which  is  probably  true,  after  all,  to  his 
Lordship  without  delay.  Mr.  Justice, 
will  you  lend  me  a  horse  from  your  sup- 
ply, the  young  ladies  having  exhausted 
theirs  V 

"  You  might  have  had  mine,  if  I  had 
known,"  remarked  Sarah,  softly. 

"  With  the  greatest  pleasure,  Colonel, 
the  best  in  the  stables  I"  exclaimed  the 
older  man,  ringing  a  bell  and  giving  the 
necessary  directions  to  a  slave.  "  Go  upon 
your  duties.  Sir  Francis,  and  when  you 
have  chased  this  rebel  horde  out  of  the 
State,  I  venture  to  predict  you  will  find 
Isabel  more  complaisant.  We  are  all 
wrought  up  by  the  exciting  events  of  the 
evening  ;  matters  will  take  a  different  com- 
plexion later,  believe  me.'' 

"  I  trust  so,  sir,"  remarked  Duane, 
gravely.     "  I  wish  I  were  as  sure  of " 

"Broad  acres?"  suggested  Sarah,  who 
was  standing  close  at  hand  again.      Her 

45 


When   Blades  are  Out 


remark  was  not  heard  by  any  one  except 
Duane,  who  continued,  with  his  brow 
darkening, — 

"  Of  the  affections  of  Miss  Isabel  Bur- 
ton as  I  am  of  defeating  these  upstart 
Americans." 

"  Your  horse  is  at  the  door,  sir,"  said  the 
Judge.  "  Remember  that  while  you  are 
in  the  province  Overbrook  is  home  to  you. 
I  shall  be  here  for  perhaps  a  month  longer, 
and  after  that  at  Guilford,  where  I  go  to 
hold  court.  Meantime,  good-luck  and 
God-speed  to  you,  my  boy  I" 

"  Thank  you.  Good-by,  sir.  Miss  Isa- 
bel, you  sent  the  American  officer  off  with 
your  horse ;  have  you  nothing  for 
me?" 

"  I  wish  you  good  fortune,  sir." 

"  And  success  too  ?" 

"  Not  that,"  answered  Isabel,  bravely. 
"  Personally,  I  wish  you  well,  but  you  are 
— an  enemy  to  my — 


?> 


46 


And  Love's  Afield 


"  Isabel  I  This  to  your  betrothed  I"  in- 
terjected her  father. 

"  It  is  enough,"  answered  Duane,  proudly, 
bending  forward  and  pressing  a  kiss  upon 
her  forehead.  He  turned  away  to  meet 
the  mocking  eyes  of  Sarah  again. 

"  One  cannot  have  broad  acres  and  love 
too,  it  seems,"  she  whispered. 

But  he  had  his  revenge  for  all  her  in- 
sulting words,  for  he  seized  her  slight  form 
in  his  arms,  lifted  her  up,  and,  exclaiming, 
"  Allow  me  a  kinsman's  privilege,"  kissed 
her  fervently  on  the  lips.  The  blood  rushed 
into  her  face  like  a  flame. 

"  How  dare  you  I"  she  cried,  stamping 
her  foot,  as  he  put  her  down.  "  I  hope 
the  Americans  will — will " 

"  What  ?"  spurring  her  on. 

"  Make  you  pay  dear,"  she  answered, 
bravely,  "  for  this  outrage  to — to  their 
countrywoman  !" 

"  No  price,"  he  murmured,  so  low  that 

47 


When   Blades  are  Out 


she  alone  could  hear,  "  would  be  too  great 
to  pay  for  such  a  privilege.  By  Heaven  ! 
I  have  half  a  mind " 

"Remember,  I  have  no  broad  acres,'* 
she  answered,  defiantly,  with  spirit  still  un- 
abated. Beaten  by  her  persistency,  Duane 
turned  and  left  the  room  in  anger.  As 
they  heard  him  galloping  away  Isabel  gave 
an  expression  of  relief,  and,  strange  to  say, 
Sarah  took  the  place  that  the  other  girl 
had  recently  vacated  at  the  table,  and  in 
her  turn  sobbed  aloud. 

"  What  is  the  matter  with  you,  Sarah  V 
asked  Isabel,  curiously.  "  Are  you  sorry 
that  he  is  gone "?" 

"  Sorry !"  remarked  the  younger  girl, 
vindictively.  "  He  is  your  betrothed,  not 
mine,  and  I  hate  him  I" 

So   they   all   played    at    cross-purposes. 

Curtis  Baird  and  Isabel  Burton  had  grow^n 

up  together  on  adjoining  plantations,  and 

they  had  never  known   how    they   loved 

48 


And   Love's  Afield 


each  other  until  Judge  Burton  had  forced 
the  betrothal  between  his  daughter  and  the 
son  of  his  old  friend,  Sir  Francis  Duane. 
Sir  Francis  Duane  came  of  an  ancient 
though  impoverished  family  in  England, 
and  the  broad  acres  of  Colonel  Burton, 
who  was  one  of  the  richest  men  in  the 
South,  coupled  with  the  personal  qualities 
and  great  beauty  of  Isabel  Burton,  his  only 
daughter  and  heiress,  had  made  him  anx- 
ious to  carry  out  the  wish  of  the  Judge, 
which  had  been  the  cherished  dream  of 
his  father  as  well. 

Sarah  Burton  was  the  Judge's  niece  and 
ward  and  Isabel's  cousin.  She  was  pos- 
sessed of  a  very  modest  competence,  and 
made  her  home  with  the  Burtons,  a  wel- 
comed member  of  the  family.  With  the 
perversity  of  humanity,  after  he  had  be- 
come engaged  to  the  stately  Isabel,  Sir 
Francis  had  fallen  head  over  heels  in  love 
with  her  small  and  not  especially  beautiful 

4  49 


When  Blades  are  Out 


cousin.  As  for  Sarah,  she  had  not  discov- 
ered her  feelings  even  to  herself,  and  to  Sir 
Francis  she  presented  the  appearance  of  an 
implacable  tease.  It  was  all  desperately 
annoying  to  him,  and  had  it  not  been  for 
his  poverty  he  would  have  abandoned 
Isabel  and  thrown  himself  at  her  cousin's 
little  feet. 


PLATING 
I  A  T  CR  OSS-F  URP  OSES  ' 


TWO    MEDITATIVE 

GENTLEMEN  UPON 

THE   HILL 


^^  ARLY  in  the  evening  of 
"^•^  a    clear    bright    moonlight 


fe^    jH^    ^^  night  a  few  days  later,  Cap- 


^^^  tain    Curtis    Baird,  his   ap- 


.^S"^~0"^^  pointment  to  that  higher 
rank  having  been  confirmed  and  his  com- 
mission issued  in  the  interim,  drew  rein 
at  the  entrance  of  the  stockade  of  Over- 
brook  once  more.  The  negroes,  under  the 
direction  of  the  Judge,  had  completed  the 
enclosure,  and  the  gate  was  shut  and  barred. 
Negligent  watch — none  at  all,   in   fact — 

53 


When   Blades  are  Out 


had  been  kept,  owing  perhaps  to  the  ab- 
sence of  the  master  and  the  nearness  of 
the  British  army,  so  that  the  American, 
who  had  reached  the  top  of  the  hill  unob- 
served, remained  unnoticed  before  the  closed 
entrance. 

General  Greene  had  sent  him  to  hurry 
up  Morgan  after  the  two  had  left  the  plan- 
tation, and  having  speedily  fallen  in  with 
that  redoubtable  soldier,  Baird  had  deliv- 
ered his  orders  and  was  on  his  way  back  to 
join  General  Huger  and  the  main  army. 
Finding  himself  in  the  vicinity  of  Over- 
brook  again,  he  had  turned  aside  for  another 
sight  of  the  woman  who  reigned  in  his 
heart.  The  certainty  that  he  had  lost  her 
had  only  enhanced  her  charms  and  added 
the  last  touch  to  the  fervency  of  his  pas- 
sion. 

It  was  a  very  reckless  and  imprudent 
thing  to  do,  as  the  delay  caused  by  the  di- 
vergence had  placed  him  in  the  very  midst 

54 


And  Love's  Afield 


of  the  British  forces  then  beginning  their 
advance  in  pursuit  of  the  retreating  Ameri- 
cans. The  country  was  filled  with  foraging 
parties  of  Tarleton's  horse  and  bodies  of 
light  infantry  ;  while  many  groups  of  those 
undisciplined  and  unattached  followers  of 
an  army, — masterless  men, — who  work  sad 
havoc  among  the  peaceful  inhabitants  in 
the  field  of  operations,  were  roaming  at 
random  seeking  whom  they  might  devour 
without  respect  to  party  allegiance.  How- 
ever, as  Baird's  military  errand  had  been 
despatched,  he  jeoparded  nothing  but  his 
own  liberty  or  life,  and  he  thought  but 
little  of  these  things  when  measured  by 
the  depth  of  his  love  and  the  conscious- 
ness of  his  loss. 

He  had  succeeded,  on  account  of  his 
thorough  knowledge  of  the  country  and 
by  that  address  and  resourcefulness  which 
marked  his  character,  in  eluding  all  dangers 
hitherto,  and  had  arrived  safely  at   Over- 

55 


When  Blades  are  Out 


brook  at  last.  In  the  eagerness  of  his  con- 
suming desire,  during  the  last  few  miles  of 
his  journey  as  he  approached  the  haven  of 
his  heart,  he  had  neglected  some  of  his 
precautions,  and  had  not  noticed  that  he 
had  been  closely  followed  for  some  time 
by  a  solitary  horseman. 

The  pursuing  rider  had  stopped  in  the 
shadow  of  the  grove  of  trees  at  the  foot  of 
the  hill  and  was  intently  watching  Baird's 
figure  at  the  top  in  full  view  in  the  bright 
moonlight  sparkling  from  his  polished 
leather  head-piece.  Had  the  darkness  under 
the  trees  permitted,  and  had  the  heavy 
riding-cloak  he  wore  been  lifted,  the  scarlet- 
and-white  uniform  of  a  British  officer  of 
rank  would  have  been  revealed. 

As  he  waited  he  drew  a  heavy  cavalry 
pistol  from  its  holster  and,  after  cocking 
it,  lifted  it  and  took  careful  aim  at  the  fig- 
ure on  the  hill.     The  distance  was  great, 

still  the  shot  was  a  possible  one.     But  his 

56 


And  Love's  Afield 


finger  did  not  press  the  trigger.  Presently 
his  hand  fell  to  his  side  ;  but  in  a  moment 
he  raised  the  pistol  again  and  took  aim 
once  more.  Something,  however,  re- 
strained the  watcher,  and  the  weapon,  un- 
discharged, was  finally  replaced  in  the 
holster. 

The  Englishman  had  good  cause  for 
hating  Baird,  for  he  was  convinced  that 
the  rider  he  had  been  tracking  was  his 
American  rival,  although  if  he  had  been 
deeper  in  love  with  Isabel  Burton  his  hatred 
would  probably  have  been  more  intense 
than  it  was.  But  in  any  event,  the  soul 
of  the  gallant  British  soldier  revolted 
against  the  act  of  slaying  an  unsuspecting 
man  by  shooting  him  in  the  back — that 
would  be  murder.  If  he  could  have  had 
him  face  to  face  with  swords  crossed  he 
could  have  killed  him  cheerfully — that 
would  have  been  war. 

Still,  he  felt  it  necessary  to  capture  his 

57 


When   Blades  are   Out 


enemy  without  regard  to  his  personal  feel- 
ings, killing  him  if  there  were  no  other 
way,  for  he  naturally  surmised  that  Baird 
might  be  in  possession  of  information  or 
despatches,  the  delivery  of  which  to  General 
Greene  it  would  be  well  to  prevent.  For 
Greene  was  an  officer  whom  long  experi- 
ence had  taught  all  of  the  English  generals 
to  respect  thoroughly,  and  when  playing 
the  game  of  war  with  him  they  could  afford 
to  neglect  no  point  however  small. 

Further,  the  presence  of  any  American 
officer,  or  soldier,  within  the  English  lines, 
even  if  he  were  not  Baird,  was  a  thing  of 
much  moment,  and  his  return  was  to  be 
prevented  on  general  principles,  if  possible. 
Sir  Francis  Duane  was  afraid  of  nothing, — 
unless  it  might  be  Miss  Sarah  Burton, — but 
to  ride  out  in  the  moonlight  and  attempt 
to  surmount  the  hill  and  capture  the  man 
he  had  been  tracking  would  probably  af- 
ford him  that  chance  of  escape  which  the 

58 


And  Love's  Afield 


Englishman  wished  to  deny  him.  There- 
fore he  sat  still  in  the  shadow  like  a  good 
soldier  and  considered  the  situation. 

They  were  a  meditative  pair  of  young 
gentlemen,  Baird  examining  the  stockade 
at  the  top  of  the  hill,  and  Sir  Francis  sur- 
veying Baird  from  the  bottom.  Sir  Francis, 
however,  seemed  to  have  entirely  the  better 
of  the  situation.  At  any  moment  he 
might  happen  across  a  party  of  Tarleton's 
horsemen  on  some  nocturnal  raid,  or  some 
other  British  detachment  under  a  roving 
commission,  in  which  case  all  that  he 
would  have  to  do  would  be  to  surround  the 
house  in  case  Baird  effected  an  entrance 
and  capture  him  forthwith. 

He  was  also  certain  that  there  were  no 
Americans  in  the  vicinity,  and  consequently 
he  was  greatly  relieved  when  he  heard  the 
sound  of  cavalry  trotting  gently  along  the 
road.  He  turned  back  from  the  edge  of 
the   wood  and  rode   cautiously  down  the 

59 


When   Blades  are  Out 


road.  It  was  well  in  those  days  and  at 
that  time  constantly  to  be  on  guard,  espe- 
cially at  night,  but  Sir  Francis  easily  made 
himself  known  to  the  approaching  horse- 
men, who  proved  to  be  the  redoubtable 
Colonel  Tarleton  himself  with  a  dozen  or 
more  of  his  troopers. 

Tarleton 's  aid  was  at  once  gladly  prof- 
fered to  effect  the  capture  of  Captain  Baird. 
Since  his  overwhelming  defeat  at  the  Cow- 
pens,  in  which  Washington's  horse  had 
played  so  prominent  and  decisive  a  part, 
Tarleton's  hands  fairly  itched  to  get  hold 
of  the  members  of  that  brilliant  corps. 
He  responded  with  alacrity  to  Sir  Francis' 
suggestion,  and  the  little  party  soon  reached 
the  confines  of  the  forest.  As  they  halted 
on  the  edge  of  the  wood  and  looked  toward 
the  house  they  saw  that  Baird's  horse  was 
hitched  to  the  stockade  by  the  bridle-rein, 
but  that  he  himself  had  disappeared. 

Dismounting  their  men  and  leaving  two 

60 


And   Love's  Afield 


or  three  to  guard  the  horses,  Duane  and 
Tarleton,  followed  by  the  remainder  of  the 
soldiery,  crept  quietly  up  the  hill.  When 
they  reached  the  stockade  unnoticed  they 
found  the  place  as  still  as  it  had  been 
before. 


N  the  great  hall  at  Over- 
brook  Isabel  Burton  sat  in 
her  father's  deep  old-fash- 
ioned arm-chair,  gazing  at 
a  wood-fire  blazing  and 
burning  on  the  hearth.  She  rested  her  face 
in  her  hands  with  her  elbows  on  her  knees  ; 
a  neglected  volume  lay  upon  the  floor  at 
her  feet.  A  little  distance  away,  Sarah  sat 
on  a  low  stool,  her  two  hands  clasped  in 
her  lap.     Her  body  was  bent  forward,  and 

she,  too,  was  gazing  into  the  fire.     The 

62 


And   Love's  Afield 


candles  on  the  table  and  in  the  sconces 
were  unlighted,  and  the  room  was  dark, 
save  for  the  fitful  gleam  of  the  crackling 
logs  and  glowing  embers.  Both  girls,  in 
every  line  of  their  drooping,  listless  figures, 
were  pictures  of  utter  dejection. 

"  Sarah,"  said  Isabel,  mournfully,  at  last 
breaking  the  silence,  "  I  am  the  most  un- 
happy woman  in  the  world  I" 

"Why  should  you  be  V  asked  Sarah, 
conscious  of  a  similar  feeling  in  her  own 
heart,  which,  however,  she  did  not  dare 
disclose.  "  You  have  wealth  and  beautv, 
name  and  station,  a  lover  who  is  devoted 
to  you — 


J? 


Isabel  brightened  instantly. 

"  Oh,  Sarah,  you  dear,  is  he  V  she  cried, 
lifting  her  head.  "  Do  you  think  so  ?  Do 
you  really  think  so  *?" 

"  Think  it !"  answered  Sarah.  "  I— I— 
aren't  all  lovers  devoted?  How  could 
he    help    but   be  ?"   she    added,   evasively, 

63 


When   Blades  are  Out 


looking  mournfully  at  the  other  girl's 
splendid  beauty.  "  You  have  everything, 
Isabel,  everything  that  a  man  wants. 
Wealth  and  beauty,  name  and  station," 
she  repeated  her  previous  statement,  half 
soliloquizing,  "  and  charm  and  goodness, 
too,  and  I,  nothing  but  a  sharp  tongue." 
Her  voice  dropped  to  a  mournful  whisper 
over  the  last  clause,  which  her  cousin,  im- 
mersed in  her  own  grief,  did  not  hear. 

"  Yes,  yes,  men  have  said  so.  But  what 
difference  does  it  all  make,  after  all," 
sighed  Isabel,  dejectedly,  "  since  I  am  en- 
gaged to  another  ?" 

"  Another !"  exclaimed  Sarah,  in  sur- 
prise ;  "  why,  I  am  talking  about  Colonel 
Duane  !" 

"  Oh  !"  remarked  the  other,  indifferently  ; 
"  Sir  Francis  Duane "?  I  don't  care  whether 
he  loves  me  or  not  I" 

"  Isabel,  were  you  thinking  about  Curtis 

Baird  r 

64 


And   Love's  Afield 


"  Yes,  I  was  !" 

"  Oh,  for  shame  !     How  very  wrong  I" 

"  Wrong  or  not  wrong,  I  can't  help  it ; 
and,  besides,  you  don't  know  anything 
about  it !" 

"  Perhaps  not,"  answered  the  younger 
girl,  "  but  I  am  surprised,  nevertheless.  Sir 
Francis  is  a  gallant  gentleman,  handsome, 
distinguished,  well  born  and  bred,  brave, 
witty — 


J? 


"  Mercy  on  me,  Sarah,  do  you  hold  a 
brief  for  him?" 

"  Certainly  not,  but  I " 

"  Well,  spare  me  a  further  catalogue  of 
his  virtues,  if  you  love  me ;  besides,  those 
things  count  for  nothing  unless  there  is 
love,  and  I  don't  believe  Sir  Francis  cares 
anything  for  me,  and  I  certainly  don't  care 
anything  for  him  !  I  respect  him  and  all 
that,  but  if  you  loved  any  one  yourself, 
you  would  know  that  these  things  do  not 
matter." 

5  65 


When  Blades  are  Out 


If  Isabel  could  have  known  how  Sarah's 
heart  was  beating  at  that  very  moment  at 
the  thought  of  Sir  Francis,  she  would  have 
certainly  concluded  there  was  no  knowl- 
edge in  her  own  possession  which  her  cou- 
sin lacked,  and  if  Sarah  had  only  spoken 
out  her  honest  thought,  what  loads  of 
trouble  and  days  of  sorrow  might  have 
been  spared.  But  Sarah  had  learned  in 
poverty  to  control  her  feelings  and  subordi- 
nate herself.     Her  duty  seemed  plain. 

"  I  think  it  is  very  wrong,  Isabel,  for 
you  to  talk  and  feel  in  this  way."  She 
spoke  with  all  the  gravity  of  a  younger 
reproving  an  older  friend.  "  Sir  Francis  is 
in  every  way  a  suitable  match  for  you,  and 
I  have  no  doubt  you  will  forget  Captain 
Baird  in  time  and  be  abundantly  happy 
when  you  are  married." 

"  Sarah,  you  have  been  talking  with 
father,  or  else  you  got  that  out  of  a  book. 
It's  perfect  nonsense  !     I  won't  be  happy 

66 


And   Love's  Afield 


with  anybody  !  Would  you  under  such 
circumstances?  But  what  does  a  child 
like  you  know  about  it?  I  tell  you,  I 
love  him,  I  love  him,  and  that's  an  end  of 
it  I  I  believe  you  don't  care  for  anybody, 
— any  man,  that  is  I  I  don't  suppose  you 
ever  will  I" 

"  I  suppose  not,"  answered  Sarah,  mourn- 
fully, "  and  it  won't  make  any  difference 
if  I  do,  Isabel,"  she  continued,  tremulously. 
"  I  am  so  little,  so  plain,  and  so  poor,  no- 
body will  care  for  me." 

"  There  you  go  again  with  your  ever- 
lasting depreciation  of  yourself.  I  am 
ashamed  of  you  !  You  are  little,  to  be 
sure,  but  then  some  men  prefer  little  women. 
Sir  Francis  told  me  that  he  did.  Why  he 
made  an  exception  to  his  preference  in  my 
case  I  don't  understand.  And  as  for 
looks !  While  you  have  not  the  red  and 
white  complexion  and  the  blue  eyes  that 

I   have,  my   dear    little    cousin,  there  are 

67 


When   Blades  are  Out 


times  when  you  are  really  dazzling ! 
When  that  dark-brown  cheek  of  yours  gets 
a  flush  of  mad  red  on  it,  and  those  big 
black  eyes  snap  and  sparkle,  I  tell  you, 
you  are  positively  dangerous  I  Why,  I 
used  to  grow  so  jealous  of  you " 

"  Jealous  of  me  I  oh,  Isabel  I  You  know 
Sir  Francis " 

"  Goodness,  child  !  Why  will  you  harp 
on  Sir  Francis '?  I  am  not  talking  of  him  I 
I  could  never  be  jealous  of  him.  I  mean 
—Curtis." 

"  Isabel,  that  man  worships  the  ground 
upon  which  you  walk  I" 

"  Oh,  Sarah,  you  love !"  exclaimed 
Isabel ;  "  do  you  really  think  so  ?" 

"Think  so?  I  know  it!  Don't  you 
remember  how  he  looked  last  week  when 
he  heard  you  were  engaged  to  Sir  Francis, 
here  in  this  very  room?" 

"  Yes,  yes  ;  wasn't  it  heavenly  ?  But 
what's  the  use  ?     Sir  Francis  also  worships 

68 


And  Love's  Afield 


the  ground  I  walk  on — when  it  is  my  own 
land  I"  she  added,  bitterly. 

"Oh,  you  wrong  him,  I  am  sure!"  an- 
swered Sarah,  feebly,  entirely  forgetful  of 
the  fact  that  she  herself  had  goaded  Sir 
Francis  to  madness  by  her  iteration  of  that 
same  idea. 

"  I  do  not,"  replied  Isabel,  stubbornly ; 
"  you  know  he  does,  and  if  I  were,  indeed, 
poor — 


?j 


"  Like  me,"  interrupted  Sarah. 

"  He  wouldn't  look  at  me  ;  and  don't  say 
you  are  poor  any  more,  Sarah.  You  know 
I  would  give  you  anything  on  earth — 
half  of  all  I  have  is  yours.  Gracious 
heavens,  I  would  give  it  all  to  get  rid  of 
Sir  Francis  I" 

"  And  I  wouldn't  take  it,  as  you  know 
perfectly  well,  and  if  you  did  give  it  all 
up,  I  think  Sir  Francis  is  too  thoroughly 
a  gentleman  to  let  that  make  any  differ- 
ence." 

69 


When   Blades  are   Out 


"  Sarah  Burton,  one  would  think  Sir 
Francis  was  engaged  to  you  and  not  to  me, 
from  the  way  you  defend  him  I" 

"  Engaged  to  me !"  responded  Sarah, 
with  greatly  simulated  dignity ;  "  pray  do 
not  jest  upon  such  a  subject.  He  never 
gave  me  a  thought,  nor  I  him,  save  as  a 
cousin,  of  course."     Oh,  lying  Sarah  ! 

"  Well,  he  certainly  gave  you  a  most 
uncousinly  kiss  in  the  hall  here,"  con- 
tinued Isabel,  maliciously.  "  If  I  loved 
him  I  would  have  been  furiously  jealous  I" 

"  Wasn't  it  outrageous  !"  remarked  Sarah, 
still  striving  for  outward  composure.  "  I 
don't  know  how  he  dared — I  burn  with 
shame  at  the  thought  of  it  I"  Only  it 
wasn't  shame  that  sent  the  blood  to  her 
cheeks,  after  all.  "  But  this  is  all  idle  talk. 
Sir  Francis  doesn't  love  me,  and  I  wouldn't 
care  if  he  did  I" 

Sarah  was    a  most  mendacious  person 

on  occasion,  it  would  seem. 

70 


And   Love's  Afield 


"  And  he  doesn't  love  me,  either,"  con- 
tinued Isabel,  "  and,  like  you,  I  don't  care 
whether  he  does  or  not." 

"  Curtis  Baird  loves  you,  though,"  urged 
Sarah,  anxious  to  change  the  course  of  the 
conversation. 

"  And  I  do  care  very  much  about  that," 
answered  Isabel,  frankly.  "  But,  as  I  said, 
what's  the  use?  We  are  all  playing  at 
cross-purposes.  How  on  earth  it  will  end 
I  don't  know.  Our  lives  seem  to  have  got 
into  a  dreadfully  tangled  condition,  and  I 
don't  see  who  is  to  cut  the  knot  or  un- 
ravel the  skein,"  she  went  on,  despairingly. 

"  With  your  permission,  I !"  interjected 
a  deep  voice  from  the  corner  of  the  room. 

The  girls  screamed  and  sprang  to  their 
feet. 

"  You  I"  cried  Isabel,  as  with  eyes  keen 
through  affection  she  made  out  the  tall 
form  of  Curtis  Baird  standing  by  the  foot 
of  the  stairs. 

71 


When   Blades  are  Out 


"  Even  I,"  he  answered.  "  I  will  cut 
the  Gordian  knot  if  you  will  let 
me." 

"  How  much  have  you  heard  V  asked 
Isabel,  hurriedly.  "  How  came  you  here  ? 
What  means  this  visit '?" 

"  I  heard  you  say  you — you  cared,"  he 
replied,  softly,  stepping  toward  her. 

"  Shame  !  Shame  I"  she  exclaimed, 
shrinking  back ;  she  had  not  spoken 
frankly  for  his  ears.  "  How  dared  you 
listen  ?" 

"  'Twas  innocently  done,"  answered 
Baird.  "  I  am  riding  back  to  the  Amer- 
ican army  after  having  carried  General 
Greene's  orders  to  General  Morgan.  I 
found  myself  to-night  on  the  old  road.  I 
could  not  pass  by  the  house  which  shel- 
tered you  without  at  least  attempting  to 
see  you.  I  came  here  for  that  purpose, 
determined  to  get  speech  with  you,  to  make 

one  last  appeal  to  you  I    I  found  the  stock- 

72 


And  Love's  Afield 


ade  completed,  the  door  barred.  I  left  my 
horse  outside " 

"  The  horse  I  lent  you,  sir  *?"  interrupted 
Sarah. 

"  No,  Miss  Sarah,  that  is  safe  in  camp, 
and  yours,  too,  Isabel.  This  is  one  I  bor- 
rowed. I  crept  around  the  stockade  and 
found  a  place  where  I  managed  to  scale  the 
wall,  and  then  I  came  here.  There  was  a 
window  open  ;  I  saw  no  one.  I  swear  to 
you,  I  had  no  intention  of  eavesdropping  !" 

"  But  you  heard  !" 

"  Yes,  Isabel,  I  did  hear,  but  I  knew  you 
loved  me,  and  love  like  mine  compels  an 
answer  and  assures  a  response.  Don't  you 
remember  that  night  at  Charleston  when 
you — 


J) 


"  Enough,  sir  I"  cried  Isabel.  "  You  for- 
get that  I  am  engaged  to  Sir  Francis 
Duane  I" 

"  Would  to  God  that  I  could  forget  it  I" 
exclaimed  the  soldier.    "  But  why  need  the 

73 


When   Blades  are  Out 


engagement  continue,  if  you  do  not  love 

him  r 

"  I  have  not  said  so,"  answered  Isabel. 

"Have  you  not*?"  cried  Baird.  "Is  it, 
indeed,  true  ?  Do  you  love  him  *?  Have 
I  been  mistaken  ?  Do  women,  then,  so 
lightly  change  T  He  stopped.  "  If  that 
be  so,  I  have  naught  to  say.  I  came  here 
under  a  misapprehension,  on  a  fool's  errand," 
he  added,  bitterly. 

Isabel  turned  slowly  away.  How  beau- 
tiful she  looked  in  the  soft  illumination 
of  the  flickering  flame.  His  soul  yearned 
for  her.     He  stepped  nearer  to  her. 

"  Isabel,"  he  whispered,  stretching  out 
his  hands  toward  her.  Still  no  answer. 
He  noted  the  rapid  rise  and  fall  of  her 
bosom,  but  she  did  not  move  nor  speak. 
He  might  have  swept  her  to  his  breast  and 
she  would  have  been  glad,  but  she  gave  no 
other  outward  sign  of  her  feelings. 

"  'Tis  over,  then,"  he  said  at  last,  turning 

74 


And   Love's   Afield 


away  with  set  lips  and  a  white  face.  All 
his  life  he  would  see  the  picture  of  that 
girl  in  her  beauty  in  the  light  of  the  dying 
fire — and  she  was  not  for  him !  He 
groaned  aloud. 

'*  You  risked  your  life  for  this,  Captain 
Baird,  did  you  ?"  said  Sarah,  pitying  the 
grief-stricken,  disappointed  lover.  "  Ah, 
well,  I,  at  least,  can  sympathize  with  you. 
There  are  others  in  the  world  who  love  and 
cannot  have.  But  now,  sir,  you  must  go, 
and  go  in  haste  !  My  uncle  is  expected 
home  to-night.  He  will  be  accompanied 
by  other  gentlemen  of  his  party.  Should 
he  find  you  here — 


») 


"  Madam,"  cried  Baird,  stepping  forw^ard, 
and  taking  Sarah's  proff*ered  hand,  "at 
least  you  are  kind  to  me.  I  am  grateful 
for  your  sympathy.  From  the  bottom  of 
my  heart  I  thank  you."  He  bent  low  over 
her    hand    and    kissed    the    brown    fingers 

fervently. 

75 


When   Blades  are  Out 


"  Stop  I"  cried  Isabel,  her  jealous  soul 
aflame.  "  I — you — it  is  not  Sir  Francis 
that  I — oh,  what  shall  I  do  ?" 

"  Do  *?"  cried  Baird,  springing  to  her  side 
and  encircling  her  with  his  arm.  "  Come 
with  me  I" 


AN  INTERESTING 

OCCURRENCE   ON 

THE   STAIRS 


^|J^..ti^..^  ARK !"    said    Sarah,    sud- 


r^  denly  ;  "I  hear  footsteps  I" 
'S-},  She  ran  to  the  shuttered 
©^9  ^  'f\^^Wi^  window  and  peeped  through 
i?PS^S^  ^®  the  bars.  "  The  moonhght 
sparkles  on  a  drawn  sword  I"  whispered  the 
girl.     "  The  enemy  is  there  !" 

At  that  moment  a  foot  stepped  heavily 
on  the  porch,  a  sabre-hilt  thundered  im- 
periously against  the  door. 

"  Open  I"  cried  the  voice  of  Sir  Francis 
Duane.     "  Open  in  the  name  of  the  King  !" 

77 


When   Blades  are  Out 


"Sir  Francis  Duane !  Oh,  fly,  fly  I" 
cried  Isabel,  thrusting  Baird  from  her. 

"  Too  late  I"  whispered  Sarah.  "  We 
must  conceal  him  !" 

"  Where  ?" 

"  There  I"  answered  the  other  girl,  point- 
ing to  a  room  just  off  the  landing  half-way 
up  the  stairs. 

"  My  room  I" 

"  Where  else  ?     Quick  !" 

Again  and  again  the  sabre  rattled  against 
the  door. 

"  Open,  open  I"  repeated  the  voice. 
"  We  are  soldiers  of  the  King  and  demand 
instant  admittance  I  Another  moment  and 
we  will  beat  down  the  door !" 

Pressing  a  kiss  upon  Isabel's  fair  hand, 
Baird  leaped  lightly  up  the  stairs  and  en- 
tered the  room,  closing  the  door  behind 
him.  He  had  a  sword  and  pistol  by  his 
side  in  his  belt,  and  he  determined  not  to 

give  up  without  a  struggle.     As  soon  as 

78 


And   Love's  Afield 


he  disappeared  Sarah  opened  the  door.  Sir 
Francis  with  drawn  sword  and  cocked  pis- 
tol in  his  hands,  Colonel  Tarleton  follow- 
ing hard  at  his  heels,  entered  the  room. 
As  if  familiar  with  the  usages  of  the 
place,  he  stopped  by  a  small  table  and, 
with  the  butt  of  his  pistol,  struck  a  gong 
standing  upon  it.  A  negro  servant  ap- 
peared instantly. 

"  Lights  here  I"  cried  the  Colonel,  imperi- 
ously ;  "  and  tell  Justice  Burton — 


?5 


"  My  father  is  not  at  home,"  interrupted 
Isabel,  summoning  all  her  resolution  to 
confront  him.  "  And  by  what  right  do 
you  presume  to  enter  this  house  in  this 
unceremonious  manner  ?  As  the  repre- 
sentative of  my  father,  I  demand  an  ex- 
planation I" 

"  Young  ladies,"  cried  Sir  Francis, 
"  your  pardon  I  This  is  Colonel  Tarleton, 
and  we  are  here  under  military  necessity. 
I  understand  Captain  Curtis  Baird — I  be- 

79 


When   Blades  are  Out 


lieve  you  know  him,  madam,"  he  con- 
tinued, flashing  a  keen  and  jealous  glance  at 
Isabel — "  is  in  this  house.  A  man  thought 
to  be  he  was  seen  to  enter  the  stockade  not 
ten  minutes  ago.  I  am  here  to  apprehend 
him,  and  with  your  permission  I  will  pro- 
ceed to  search  the  house." 

"  You  will  do  nothing  of  the  kind,  sir  !" 
exclaimed  Isabel.  "  In  the  absence  of  my 
father,  this  is  my  house.  I  will  not  allow 
it  to  be  searched  by  you  or  any  one.  As 
a  gentleman,  sir — 


») 


"  Madam,  I  am  here  as  an  officer  of  the 
King.  This  is  war ;  the  common  rules  of 
courtesy  must  stand  aside." 

"  Nothing,  nothing  shall  be  done  here  !" 
cried  Isabel,  determinedly.     "  I  forbid  it !" 

"  Do  you  deny  that  he  is  here,  madam  ?" 

"  I  deny  nothing,  sir  !" 

"  Ah  !"  exclaimed   the  officer,  stepping 

over  to  the  corner  of  the  hall  and  picking 

up  from  a  chair,  upon  which  it  had  been 

80 


And  Love's  Afield 


placed,  a  polished  helmet.  "  Some  one  is 
here,  by  this  token.  Does  this  helmet 
belong  to  the  Justice,  or  is  it,  perchance,  a 
new  fashion  in  feminine  head-covering? 
Perhaps  you  can  explain  its  presence'?"  he 
went  on,  jealously. 

"  You  jest,  sir,"  exclaimed  Isabel,  falter- 
ing at  the  betraying  sight. 

"  I  was  never  more  serious  in  my  life, 
madam,  as  you  will  see,"  answered  Sir 
Francis. 

"  Looks  like  an  American  helmet, 
Duane,"  remarked  Tarleton.  "  I  have 
never  seen  any  of  them,  but  I  have  heard 
what  they  wear." 

"  If  you  had  looked  behind  you  at  the 
Cowpens,  Colonel  Tarleton,  you  would 
have  seen  a  great  many  of  them,  no 
doubt,"  interrupted  Sarah,  with  her  usual 
keenness.  "  But  perhaps  you  were  too  hur- 
ried on  that  occasion  to  notice  anything  !" 
Egad,    Tarleton,    she    has    you    there, 


u 


8i 


When  Blades  are  Out 


man  I"  exclaimed  Sir  Francis,  smiling  at 
the  discomfited  officer.  "  And  now,  Miss 
Sarah,  perhaps  I  can  get  the  truth  from 
you.  Captain  Baird  is  here,  I  feel  sure. 
At  least  some  one  is  here,  and  I  suspect  it 
is  he.     This  helmet " 

"  You  can  always  get  the  truth  from 
me,"  answered  Sarah,  guilelessly,  adding, 
under  her  breath,  "  when  I  want  to  tell  it  I" 
"  Since  you  force  me  to  declare  myself,  Sir 
Francis,  there  is  somebody  here.  This 
helmet  belongs  to  a  gentleman  who — came 
— here — to  see — me." 

"  What !"  roared  Sir  Francis,  his  face 
flushing  darkly  ;  "  I  thought  it  was  Isabel. 
That  settles  it !"  he  cried,  jealously,  the 
thought  that  Sarah  was  having  a  clandes- 
tine meeting  proving  much  more  discom- 
forting than  the  feeling  engendered  by  the 
idea  that  Isabel  only  was  the  object  of  the 
American's    attention.     "  That    settles    it ! 

I  shall  have  him  now  at  once !     Where  is 

82 


And  Love's  Afield 


he'?  But  never  mind,  we  will  search  the 
house.  Without  there  I"  he  called.  "  In 
here,  two  or  three  of  you  !  Now  rum- 
mage these  rooms  opening  out  of  the 
hall,"  he  added.  "  Tarleton,  will  you  go 
with  them'?     I  will  stay  here." 

"  This  is  outrageous,  shameful,  sir !" 
exclaimed  Isabel,  her  face  flushing  as  the 
soldiers  sprang  through  the  house. 

"  I  do  not  see  how  it  concerns  you, 
madam,"  answered  Sir  Francis,  "  since  the — 
ah — gentleman  does  not  come  to  see  you." 

The  soldiers  presently  came  swarming 
back  into  the  hall,  Tarleton  reporting  that 
they  had  found  no  one  but  the  servants, 
though  an  open  window  in  the  dining- 
room  showed  where  an  entrance  had  been 
effected  and  possibly  an  exit. 

"  He  cannot  have  escaped  ;  we  have  his 
horse,  and  the  house  is  surrounded.  Let 
us  go  up-stairs,  he  must  be  there,"  said  the 
Colonel. 

83 


When   Blades  are  Out 


Isabel  sprang  to  the  foot  of  the  stairs' 
stretched  her  arms  from  the  wall  to  the 
baluster  and  boldly  confronted  the  officer. 
Sarah  had  moved  even  more  quickly  than 
she,  and  had  sprung  higher  up  to  the 
landing,  where  she  stopped  behind  her 
cousin. 

"  You  shall  not !"  cried  Isabel. 

"  Ah,  he  is  there,  then  !     Stand  aside  I" 

"  I  will  not  I"  cried  the  girl,  resolutely, 
her  face  full  of  pride. 

"  Let  me  pass,  girl !"  exclaimed  Sir 
Francis,  roughly. 

"  Never  !"  she  answered. 

Unconsciously  Sarah  had  stepped  over 
to  the  door  opening  on  the  landing,  and, 
Hke  Isabel,  had  stretched  her  arms  across  it 
from  side  to  side.  It  was  a  betraying  mo- 
tion. 

"  He  is  in  that  room,  then.  Whose 
apartment  is  it'?"  cried  Sir  Francis.  "I  re- 
member, 'tis  yours.  Miss  Burton." 

84 


And   Love's  Afield 


"  No,  it  is  mine,"  cried  Sarah,  promptly, 
thinking  to  disarm  his  anger. 

"  Yours  !     By  Heaven  I" 

It  was  the  last  straw.  Mad  with  jeal- 
ousy, he  tore  Isabel's  hand  away  from  the 
railing  and  leaped  upon  the  stairs.  At  the 
same  moment  the  door  opened.  Thrust- 
ing Sarah  aside,  Baird,  who  had  heard  the 
whole  conversation,  stepped  out  on  the 
landing.  He  had  no  mind  to  die  like  a 
trapped  rat.  He  raised  his  pistol  and 
pointed  it  full  at  Sir  Francis  and  pulled  the 
trigger.  As  he  did  so  his  arm  was  struck 
violently  upward  and  the  bullet  buried 
itself  harmlessly  in  the  opposite  wall. 
Another  report  rang  out  in  the  smoke,  as 
Sir  Francis  discharged  his  own  pistol,  and 
the  bullet  cut  the  air  between  Sarah  and 
Baird  on  the  landing.  The  hall  was  filled 
with  smoke.  Sarah  was  dazed  for  the 
moment  by  the  concussion. 

The  swords  of  the   two  men   were  out 

85 


When   Blades  are  Out 


in  a  moment.  They  crossed  blades  in  the 
smoke  on  the  stairs.  The  air  was  filled 
with  the  sound  of  ringing  steel.  This  time 
it  was  Isabel  who  interfered.  As  Tarleton 
and  his  men  ran  forward,  she  sprang  at 
Duane,  caught  him  by  the  waist  and  pulled 
him  down  the  stairs.  Tarleton  and  the 
others  could  not  pass  the  two  struggling 
figures.  Love  lent  strength  to  her  arms, 
she  was  not  a  weak  woman,  and  she  held 
the  soldier  with  a  grip  of  iron.  He  strug- 
gled vainly  to  break  away.  The  soldiers 
dared  not  fire. 

"  Run !  run  I"  Isabel  cried  to  Baird. 
"  Not  this  way  I"  she  screamed,  as  he  made 
a  step  down  the  stairs.  "  The  house  is  sur- 
rounded !  The  bluffs — overlooking  the 
river  I  Through  the  store-room  !  There 
is  a  coil  of  rope  in  the  corner  yonder ! 
Quick,  I  can't  hold  him  any  longer  !" 

Instantly  divining  her  plan,  Baird  sprang 
past  Sarah  shrinking  against  the  wall,  ran 

86 


liVJ 


L»m] 


And   JLove's  Afield 


up  the  stairs,  darted  into  the  store-room, 
bolted  the  door,  and  picked  up  the  coil  of 
rope,  which  by  some  chance  had  been  left 
in  the  room,  fastened  it  to  a  heavy  piece 
of  furniture,  dropped  it  from  the  window, 
which  overlooked  the  sheer  bank  of  the 
river,  swung  himself  over  the  sill,  and  rap- 
idly slid  down  the  rope. 

At  last  untwisting  Isabel's  clinging 
arms  and  ruthlessly  thrusting  aside  Sarah, 
who  fruitlessly  endeavored  to  bar  the  way. 
Sir  Francis  and  Tarleton,  followed  by  the 
soldiers,  ran  up  the  stairs  and  thundered 
upon  the  door.  Presently  the  fastening 
gave  way  and  they  swarmed  into  the  room, 
where  they  were  followed  hard  by  the  two 
girls. 

Sarah  and  Isabel  ran  first  to  the  window, 
the  others  crowding  around  them.  As 
they  entered  they  heard  a  splash  at  the 
foot  of  the  bluff",  and  presently  they  caught 
a    glimpse   of  a   dark    form    cleaving   the 

87 


When   Blades  are  Out 


waters  of  the  river  in  the  moonhght.  In 
the  confusion  Sarah  cast  otf  and  dropped 
the  rope,  thus  preventing  pursuit  that 
way. 

"  Back,  men  !"  cried  Sir  Francis,  seeing 
that  the  two  women  would  prevent  his 
firing  upon  the  fugitive.  "  To  your  horses, 
all  I  Gallop  toward  the  bridge  and  head 
him  off!" 

But  those  left  within  the  room  knew 
that  the  attempt  would  be  useless,  for  long 
before  the  troopers  could  reach  the  horses 
and  make  the  long  circuit  to  the  bridge, 
Baird  would  have  reached  the  other  bank 
and  disappeared  in  the  woodland. 

Sir  Francis  stamped  in  vexation. 

"  You  have  played  a  traitor's  part,  mad- 
am !"  he  cried,  turning  sternly  to  Isabel. 

"  And  I  glory  in  the  part,  sir,  and  would 
fain  do  it  again  I" 

"  You  aided  a  dangerous  enemy  of  the 
King  to  escape  I" 

88 


And  Love's  Afield 


"  I  gave  a  good  sword  to  the  service  of 
my  country,  sir  I" 

"  I  would  have  killed  him  !"  cried  Sir 
Francis,  in  passionate  rage. 

"  With  his  blood  upon  your  hands,  sir, 
every  dream  that  you  have  cherished,  with 
me  for  the  object,  would  have  been  ended. 
I  saved  vou  from  murder,  sir.  You  should 
be  grateful." 

"  And  you,  madam,"  cried  Sir  Francis, 
turning  to  Sarah  leaning  back  against  the 
casement,  looking  very  small  and  pale 
m  the  white  moonlight.  "  I  owe  you 
something  too,  it  seems,  for  this  es- 
cape." 

"  You  owe  me  more  than  that,  sir," 
answered  Sarah,   equably,  in   spite  of  her 


beating  heart. 

"  And  what  is  it,  pray,  that  I  owe  you, 
madam  ?" 

"  Life  !" 

"Ha,    so!"    cried    the    officer.      "  Ah  I 

89 


When   Blades  are  Out 


that  shot  on  the  stairs  I      He  missed   me. 
Who  struck  up  his  arm  ?" 

"  And  you  did  it  for  what  *?" 

"  Because  I " 

"  Did  you  care  whether  I "  he  ex- 
claimed, passionately. 

"  Care  I"  she  cried,  wildly.      "  I   did  it 

because    I — I — love "    She     stopped. 

"  Isabel  I"  she  added,  lamely. 

"  Oh,  at  what  cross-purposes  we  play  !" 
exclaimed  Sir  Francis,  bitterly  disappointed. 

"  You  may  release  me  when  you  wish, 
and  end  it  all  I"  cried  Isabel,  promptly 
and  eagerly. 

''  Nay,  madam,"  responded  Duane.  "  I 
will  hold  you  to  your  promise,  and  wed 
you  in  the  face  of  the  whole  American 
army  I" 

This    doughty  declaration    filled   Isabel 

with  sadness  and  Sarah  with  despair.    They 

all  turned  presently  and   went   down   the 

90 


And   Love's   Afield 


stairs  into  the  hall.  Colonel  Tarleton  met 
them  there. 

"  He  has  escaped,"  he  exclaimed,  sulkily. 
"  I  wish  I  could  have  caught  him.  I  hate 
that  Washington  and  all  his  breed." 

"  Do  you  know  him  then,  that  you 
abuse  a  gallant  gentleman  behind  his 
back  V  exclaimed  Isabel,  hotly. 

"  'Fore  God,  ma'am,  I  didn't  know  you 
were  his  defender  !  A  coarse,  illiterate 
captain  of  horse  ;  why,  I  am  told  he  cannot 
write  his  name  even  I"  answered  Tarleton. 

"  Well,  sir,  it  is  evident  that  he  can  at 
least  make  his  mark,"  interrupted  Sarah, 
tartly,  with  delicious  impudence,  looking 
maliciously  the  while  at  a  livid,  scarcely 
healed  wound  on  Tarleton's  hand,  which 
was  evidence  of  Washington's  skill  as  a 
swordsman  at  the  battle  of  the  Cowpens. 

Tarleton's  face  flushed  deeply  at  this 
biting  rejoinder.  With  a  halt-muttered 
oath,  he  laid  his  hand  on  his   sword  and 

91 


When   Blades  are  Out 


stepped  toward  her.  She  faced  him,  smiHng, 
with  all  her  native  courage ;  but  she  was 
none  the  less  grateful  when  Duane,  who 
had  seen  it  all,  quickly  interposed,  remark- 
ing,— 

"  Say  what  you  please.  Miss  Sarah. 
Colonel  Tarleton  knows  better  than  to  in- 
sult a  lady  in  my  presence  I" 

There  was  something  soothing  to  Sarah 
in  Tarleton's  discomfiture  at  her  retort,  but 
when  the  ofBcers  and  soldiers  had  gone, 
and  the  Judge  had  returned,  both  women 
passed  a  wide-awake,  miserable  night  in 
each  other's  arms — a  night,  alas !  the  pre- 
cursor of  many  more. 


BOOK     III 

IN  BATTLE  JOINED    J 


IX  weeks  later,  on  the 
morning  of  the  15th  of 
March,  a  little  group  of 
\(m^ — sj?:==^\  )/  officers  surrounding  a 
'^^^^^^^=S%  rather  large,  thick-set  man 
ot  about  torty  years  of  age,  of  command- 
ing presence,  with  a  ruddy  face,  broad 
brow,  and  flashing  blue  eyes,  were  looking 
intently  down  a  long  country  road,  which 
sloped  down  a  gentle  hill,  crossed  a  shallow 
creek,  climbed  a  steep  acclivity,  and  lost 
itself  in  a  bit  of  woodland  which  shut  off 

95 


When   Blades  are  Out 


the  view  in  the  direction  of  their  gaze. 
The  officers  sat  their  horses  on  the  edge  of 
a  dechvity  overlooking  the  creek  and  the 
road. 

The  morning  was  bright  and  sunny  and 
slightly  cool.  A  gentle  breeze  swept 
through  the  trees,  while  not  a  cloud  floated 
above  in  the  heavens.  The  season  was 
early  and  the  country  was  gay  with  the 
first  freshness  of  spring.  Here  and  there 
among  the  pines  and  oaks  the  white  of  the 
first  dog-wood  blossoms  could  be  seen 
lightening  the  grim  shadows,  where,  under 
the  shelter  of  the  fallen  leaves,  the  pink- 
and-white  clusters  of  the  trailing  arbutus 
began  to  show  their  heads.  The  grassy 
slopes  of  the  meadow  before  them  were 
thick  with  early  violets.  In  the  marshes 
and  brakes  along  the  banks  of  the  creek 
the  yellow  jasmine  was  putting  forth  its 
flower,  and  the  air  was  filled  with  the  fra- 
grance of  the  honeysuckle  growing  in  lux- 

96 


And   Love's   Afield 


uriant  profusion  over  the  hedges  and  fences 
surroundine:  the  meadows.  Above  the  hum 
of  conversation  and  the  noise  of  restless 
thousands,  the  blue-bird  was  pouring  forth 
his  gallant  soul  in  brilliant  bursts  of  song. 

The  men  of  the  little  group  were  clad 
in  faded  and  weather-stained  Continental 
uniforms,  and  their  faces  were  haggard  from 
loss  of  sleep,  exposure,  and  the  burden  of 
responsibility.  The  appearance  of  the 
leader  was  that  of  a  man  who  had  been 
under  a  terrible  strain  for  a  long  period, 
but  there  was  in  his  anxious  face  that 
morning  a  new  expression,  the  touch  of 
relief  which  comes  from  a  determination, 
at  last  arrived  at,  to  abide  an  issue. 

Back  of  the  group  of  officers  a  long,  thin 
line  of  Continental  troops  in  buff  and  blue 
were  thrown  along  the  edge  of  the  hill  in  a 
concave  formation,  the  sunlight  sparkling 
from  their  gleaming  bayonets.  There  were 
four    slender    regiments,    averaging    about 

7  97 


When   Blades  are  Out 


three  hundred  and  fifty  men  each.  By  the 
newness  of  their  uniforms  and  equipments, 
and  from  the  character  of  the  men  them- 
selves, it  was  plain  to  be  seen  that  three  of 
the  regiments  were  composed  of  recruits. 

On  the  right  of  the  line  were  two  regi- 
ments from  Virginia,  both  inexperienced. 
Next  to  the  Virginia  brigade  was  a  body 
of  veteran  Continentals,  known  as  the  First 
Maryland  Regiment.  The  extreme  left 
of  the  line  was  held  by  another  body  of 
Marylanders,  known  as  the  Second  Regi- 
ment. The  First  Maryland  Regiment  was 
the  very  flower  of  the  Continental  army. 
It  had  shown  its  mettle  in  almost  every 
battle  in  the  Revolution  from  Long  Island 
to  the  Cowpens.  The  old  Second  Mary- 
land had  been  cut  to  pieces  at  Camden,  and 
it  was  now  composed  of  the  rawest  of  re- 
cruits. Between  the  two  Alaryland  regi- 
ments two  pieces  of  artillery  were  stationed, 

covering  the  road. 

98 


And  Love's  Afield 


Off  to  the  left  of  the  General's  position, 
across  the  road  in  some  fields,  large  bodies 
of  troops  were  resting  at  ease.  Among 
them  were  two  regiments  of  Virginia  rifle- 
men, dressed  in  American  hunting-shirts 
and  fringed  leggings,  and  carrying  long, 
dangerous-looking  rifles  ;  but  the  great  body 
was  made  up  of  militia  from  North  Caro- 
lina and  Virginia,  who  were,  for  the  most 
part,  ununiformed  and  armed  with  a 
heterogeneous  variety  of  muskets,  rifles, 
fowling-pieces,  and  so  forth.  There  was 
not  a  bayonet  in  the  whole  body  of  per- 
haps three  thousand  men.  A  very  different 
appearance,  indeed,  they  presented  from  the 
orderly  ranks  of  the  Continentals. 

Back  of  the  troops  stood  the  old  brick 
court-house,  surrounded  by  the  straggling 
village  of  Guilford,  a  little  place  of  per- 
haps two  hundred  souls.  Around  the 
court-house  the  baggage-train  and  camp- 
followers  of  the  army  were  congregated. 

99 


When   Blades  are  Out 


Two  small  six-pound  guns  had  been  drawn 
across  the  creek  and  were  stationed  in  ad- 
vance of  every  one  else  in  the  road  at  the 
entrance  to  the  woodland.  The  little 
group  of  artillerists  were  covered  by  a  body 
of  horsemen,  less  than  one  hundred  in 
number,  in  gay  blue-and-white  uniforms, 
the  sunlight  shining  from  their  polished 
leather  head-pieces  as  their  horses  shifted 
to  and  fro  uneasily  in  the  grass. 

On  the  hills  surrounding  the  position,  a 
few  manor  houses,  the  centres  of  large 
plantations,  might  be  seen  embowered  in 
the  green  foliage.  One  of  those  nearest 
the  court-house  was  occupied  by  Judge 
Burton,  who  had  brought  his  daughter  and 
niece  there  to  be  with  him  during  the 
spring  term  of  court  which  he  was  holding. 
The  session  of  that  day  was  intermitted — 
not  from  any  desire  on  the  part  of  the 
Judge,  be  it  spoken,  for  he  would  have  held 
court  on  the  Day  of  Judgment  if  a  session 

lOO 


And   Love's  Afield 


had  been  previously  appointed  for  that 
time — because  it  was  found  impossible  to 
secure  the  attendance  of  any  one  except  the 
criminals,  in  view  of  the  general  excitement 
attendant  upon  the  approaching  battle. 

The  house,  though  at  a  safe  distance 
from  the  hill  and  valley  occupied  by  the 
American  troops,  afforded  from  the  upper 
porch  a  fair  view  of  the  whole  situation. 
Neglecting  everything  else  since  early 
morning,  when  the  Continental  soldiers 
had  marched  down  the  road,  the  two  girls, 
Isabel  and  Sarah,  had  been  on  the  balcony 
waiting  and  watching  tor  the  impending 
conflict  in  strained  anxiety, — each  having 
a  lover  on  the  field. 

It  was  about  nine  o'clock  in  the  morn- 
ing. Suddenly  tar  away  to  the  southward 
the  dull  boom  of  cannon  was  heard,  tol- 
lowed  by  fainter  reverberations  which 
spoke  of  volleys  of  musketry.  The  sound 
awoke  everybody  to  attention. 

lOI 


When   Blades  are  Out 


"  They  are  there,  then,"  remarked  Gen- 
eral Greene,  his  worn  face  lighting  as  he 
turned  to  the  little  group  of  staff-officers. 
"  Do  you  hear  the  sound,  gentlemen  ?  I 
judge  them  to  be  four  or  five  miles  away. 
Lee  will  delay  their  advance  for  an  hour 
or  two,  and  they  will  probably  move  cir- 
cumspectly after  that,  so  we  shall  have 
them  upon  us  about  noontime.  We  will 
fight  them  here.  The  men  have  had  their 
breakfast.  Colonel  Carrington?"  he  asked, 
looking  at  the  quartermaster. 

"  Yes,  sir,  some  time  ago,"  responded 
the  latter. 

"  That  is  well.  Will  you  have  the  bag- 
gage-train sent  back  to  the  ironworks  on 
the  Haw,  Colonel,  our  rallying-point  in 
case  of  defeat  ? — which  may  God  avert ! 
Mr.  Grey,  will  you  tell  Generals  Eaton  and 
Butler  to  follow  me  promptly  with  the 
North  Carolina  militia "?  Cornet  Hale,  di- 
rect Generals  Stevens  and  Lawson  to  be 


I02 


And   Love's  Afield 


ready  to  advance  with  the  Virginia  miUtia 
when  they  receive  word  from  me.  Tell 
Colonels  Campbell  and  Lynch  with  their 
riflemen  to  follow  the  South  Carolinians. 
General  Huger  and  Colonel  Williams,  you 
will  look  after  the  right  and  left  brigades 
on  this  hill.  Keep  the  men  in  line,  but 
let  them  lie  at  ease.  They  will  have  work 
enough  to  do  later  on.  I  will  return  after 
I  have  posted  the  other  lines  and  take  per- 
sonal command  here  myself.  'Tis  a  pretty 
place  for  a  battle.  Captain  Kirkwood,  will 
you  follow  me  with  your  Delawares'? 
Now,  gentlemen,  let  us  go  forward." 

The  Continentals  on  the  hill  had  been 
near  enough  to  hear  every  word  that  had 
been  spoken.  As  they  caught  the  Gen- 
eral's meaning,  they  began  a  cheer  which 
was  presently  taken  up  by  every  one  on  the 
field.  After  having  been  chased  and 
hunted  for  two  months,  they  were  in  mar- 
vellous good  trim  for  a  fight.     The  Gen- 

103 


When   Blades  are   Out 


eral's  tired  face  flushed  with  pleasure  at  this 
demonstration  as  he  rode  down  the  hill. 

Greene's  combination  of  his  force  and 
Morgan's  in  the  face  of  Cornwallis'  efforts 
to  prevent  the  junction,  and  his  subsequent 
retreat  from  the  Catawba  to  the  Dan,  had 
been  one  of  the  most  masterly  achieve- 
ments in  military  science  that  the  world 
had  seen.  The  "  ten  thousand"  had  not 
made  a  more  famous  march.  He  had  been 
pursued  by  the  indefatigable  Earl  with  a 
desperation  and  determination  that  would 
have  won  success  from  almost  any  other 
commander  who  ever  lived.  The  English 
General,  staking  all  upon  the  throw,  had 
actually  burned  and  abandoned  his  bag- 
gage and  exhausted  himself  in  a  vain  effort 
to  reach  the  American.  When  he  had 
turned  back  from  the  Dan,  Greene,  who 
had  been  re-enforced,  followed  upon  his 
heels,  as  we  have  seen,  and  elected  to  give 

battle  at  Guilford  Court-House. 

104 


And   Love's  Afield 


The  little  body  of  ofBcers  soon  reached 
the  two  pieces  of  artillery  commanded  by 
Captain  Singleton,  standing  in  the  road. 
In  obedience  to  Greene's  command,  the 
six-pound  guns  were  limbered  up,  and  the 
artillery,  followed  by  Washington's  cayalry 
and  Kirkwood's  veterans  from  Delaware, 
the  last  remnant  of  another  gallant  regi- 
ment, advanced  along  the  road.  General 
Greene  rode  through  the  trees  for  about 
half  a  mile  until  he  came  to  an  open 
field  on  the  edge  of  the  wood,  where 
there  was  a  stout  rail  fence.  Here  he 
halted  and  advanced  the  two  guns  for- 
ward on  the  road.  He  sent  Washing- 
ton's cavalry  and  Kirkwood's  men  off  to 
the  right,  re-enforcing  them,  as  it  came 
on  the  field,  by  Lynch's  Virginia  regi- 
ment. On  the  left  Campbell's  riflemen 
and  the  infantry  of  Light-Horse  Harry 
Lee's  famous  Legion  were  posted  on  a 
little    hill.       Between    these    two    bodies, 

105 


When  Blades  are  Out 


back  of  the  rail  fence,  he  drew  up  the 
North  Carolina  militia. 

The  position  was  admirably  chosen,  and, 
resolutely  defended,  might  be  held  for  a 
long  time  even  by  green  troops  against 
veterans.  Exhorting  the  militia  to  stand 
fast  and  deliver  a  few  well-aimed  volleys 
and  then  retire  slowly  without  breaking, 
Greene  was  about  to  turn  back  to  post  the 
remaining  lines,  when  he  saw  a  horseman 
galloping  furiously  toward  him  along  the 
road.  He  wore  the  green  jacket  of  the 
cavalry  of  Lee's  Legion,  and  when  he 
drew  near  enough  to  see  the  party,  he 
waved  his  hand  frantically  and  shouted 
out, — 

"  They  are  coming,  sir  I  We  got  in 
touch  with  them  about  four  miles  south 
of  here  and  have  defeated  and  dispersed 
Tarleton's  cavalry,  which  was  leading  the 
advance.  We  drove  them  back  upon  the 
main   body.     Colonel  Lee   is  skirmishing 


1 06 


And   Love's  Afield 


with  them  now.  He  sent  me  on  to  tell 
you  that  he  thinks  the  whole  army  is  there, 
Cornwallis  leading  in  person."  Realizing 
his  impetuosity,  as  he  drew  rein  in  front  of 
the  General  he  dismounted  and  saluted. 

"  That  is  well,"  replied  his  commander, 
smiling.  "  Go  back  to  him,  sir,  and  tell 
him  we  will  meet  the  enemy  at  Guilford 
Court-House.  Let  him  withdraw  his  cav- 
alry and  post  them  on  the  left  flank,  on 
that  hill  in  the  wood  over  yonder,  with 
Campbell's  riflemen  to  cover  the  militia. 
Gentlemen,  we  will  have  battle  surely  this 
morning.     I'm  glad  the  retreating  is  over." 

The  General  then  turned  and  rode  back 
about  three  hundred  yards  into  the  thick 
of  the  woods.  He  stopped  there  and  drew 
up  the  Virginia  militia  in  a  long  line  in  the 
tangled  brush  under  the  trees.  This  body 
of  militia  had  been  in  action  before  at 
Camden,  where  they  had  behaved  disgrace- 
fully enough.     It  w^as  believed  that  they 

107 


When   Blades  are  Out 


were  desirous  of  wiping  out  the  stigma 
they  had  incurred  then,  but  General  Ste- 
vens, who  was  in  command  of  them,  and 
who  had  been  betrayed  by  their  cowardice 
before,  took  no  chances  this  time.  He 
stationed  trusty  men  as  sentinels  behind 
the  line,  with  orders  to  shoot  everybody 
who  flinched  from  the  guns  and  gave  back. 
Having  posted  them  as  advantageously  as 
the  ground  permitted,  Greene  slowly  rode 
back  to  the  Continentals  upon  the  hill, 
who  seemed  to  be  in  high  spirits,  for  they 
greeted  the  commander  they  loved  with 
enthusiastic  cheers. 

It  was  eleven  o'clock  in  the  morning 
now.  In  another  hour  or  two  the  enemy 
would  be  upon  them  ;  it  was  a  momentous 
day  for  the  country  and  for  the  Revolu- 
tion. If  Greene's  army  were  crushed  and 
dispersed,  the  South  would  be  hopelessly 
lost  and  the  great  State  of  Virginia  would 

lie  open   to  attack.     Cornwallis  had  only 

io8 


And  Love's  Afield 


about  twenty-five  hundred  troops  to  per- 
haps forty-five  hundred  Americans,  but  the 
British  army  was  composed  of  picked 
men,  many  of  whom  had  been  fighting  in 
America  for  five  years.  Every  man  was  a 
veteran,  while  all  but  fifteen  hundred  of 
Greene's  troops  were  raw  militia,  one-half 
of  whom  had  never  heard  a  shot  fired  in 
anger  and  upon  whom  experience  had 
shown  but  little  dependence  could  be 
placed.  Of  the  regulars  of  the  Conti- 
nental line,  not  more  than  one-third  were 
veterans,  the  rest  being  new  troops  who 
had  never  been  under  fire.  The  officers 
on  both  sides  were  excellent,  there  being 
but  little  to  choose  between  them. 

It  was  absolutely  necessary  for  Greene 
to  fight  a  battle.  He  could  go  on  skil- 
fully retreating  and  advancing  without 
coming  in  touch  with  the  enemy  for  an 
indefinite  time,  but  the  object  of  cam- 
paigns is  not  so  much  the  preservation  of 

109 


When  Blades  are  Out 


your  own  army  as  the  annihilation  of  that 
of  the  enemy,  and  no  amount  of  march- 
ing and  countermarching,  however  bril- 
liant, will  produce  that  result.  Armies 
must  be  beaten,  therefore  the  American 
had  elected  to  fight. 

Cornwallis  had  been  endeavoring  to 
bring  about  a  battle  with  his  wily  antago- 
nist for  the  last  two  months,  and  he  looked 
eagerly  forward  to  repeating  the  brilliant 
success  of  Camden.  In  spite  of  his  dis- 
parity in  numbers,  he  was  entirely  confi- 
dent of  success. 

About  half-after  eleven  o'clock  a  trooper 
from  the  Legion  informed  Greene  that  Lee 
had  established  himself  in  the  desired  posi- 
tion in  the  rear  of  the  left  flank  of  the  first 
line,  and  that  the  British  were  still  some 
distance  away,  halting  for  dinner.  The 
Americans  dined  from  their  scantily  pro- 
vided haversacks  and  waited,  lying  on 
their  arms. 

no 


^^    T  half-after  one  o'clock  the 


roar  of  a  cannon  broke  the 
stillness  of  the  afternoon. 
From  behind  the  woodland 
the  eager  watchers  pres- 
ently saw  a  faint  column  of  blue  smoke 
rising  over  the  tree-tops.  The  discharge 
was  answered  by  a  second  and  a  third, 
which  told  that  the  American  guns  were 
engaged  in  a  duel  with  the  British  artillery. 
Most  of  the  men,  especially  the  younger 

ones,  though  not   yet  called  to  attention, 

III 


When   Blades  are   Out 


instantly  lost  their  listless  and  indifferent 
air ;  they  straightened  themselves  up,  grap- 
pled their  weapons,  and  looked  eagerly 
down  the  road,  endeavoring  to  peer  through 
the  trees.  The  veterans  of  the  First  Mary- 
land, with  affected  bravado,  however,  paid 
but  little  attention  to  the  matter,  though 
to  the  green  regiments  the  sound  was  filled 
with  ominous  portent. 

After  about  twenty  minutes'  continuous 
firing,  the  sharp  crash  of  a  volley  rang 
through  the  wood  near  by ;  another  and 
another  followed ;  then  the  sound  of  faint 
cheering  rose,  and  then — silence.  Pres- 
ently on  the  outskirts  of  the  wood  and  far 
over  to  the  left  of  the  field  a  hatless  man 
appeared,  running  wildly.  As  he  ran  they 
saw  him  throw  away  his  gun  and  rush  for- 
ward without  arms.  He  w^as  followed  by 
a  second,  a  third,  and  many  others.  Some 
of  them  were  bleeding ;  one  or  two  fell  in 
the  openings  and  lay  still.     Soon  on  either 

112 


And   Love's  Afield 


flank  a  broken  stream  of  men,  white-faced 
and  panting,  plunged  through  the  trees  in 
panic  terror  and  disappeared.  The  firing 
began  again  suddenly  ;  the  sharp  crack  of 
the  Virginia  rifles  was  now  heard  above 
the  deeper  and  more  crashing  sound  of  the 
EngHsh  muskets. 

"  Those  North  CaroUna  mihtia  have 
failed  us  again,  gentlemen.  I  hope  the 
guns  are  safe,"  said  Greene,  compressing 
his  lips,  as  his  quick  eye  took  in  the  whole 
scene.  "  The  British  have  rushed  them 
with  the  bayonet.  Pray  God  that  the 
Virginians  hold  I" 

The  Continentals  were  falling  into  line 
without  orders  now.  Even  the  veterans 
of  the  Maryland  line  were  giving  way  to 
the  excitement  of  the  pregnant  moments. 
The  gunners  on  the  hill  blew  their  matches, 
while  the  matrosses  handled  their  pieces 
determinedly.  At  this  moment  Captain 
Baird  galloped  up  to  the  General. 


113 


When   Blades  are  Out 


"  Colonel  Washington  bids  me  report, 
sir,"  he  cried,  dismounting  and  saluting, 
"  that  the  front  line  broke  and  ran,  after 
two  ineffective  volleys,  when  the  British 
charged,  but  that  Lee  and  Campbell  on 
the  left  appear  to  be  hotly  engaged  and 
holding  their  own,  and  that  Lynch  and 
Kirkwood  are  retiring  in  good  order  upon 
the  second  line,  which  is  already  heavily 
engaged  and  standing  up  well.  Our  horse 
is  still  covering  the  left  flank.  The  whole 
British  army  is  upon  us." 

"  Ride  to  the  front.  Captain  Baird,"  said 

Greene,  "  and  tell  General  Stevens  to  hold 

his  line  at  all  hazards  as  long  as  he  can. 

Direct  Colonel  Washington   to   withdraw 

the  horse  from  the  trees  and  take  position 

in  the  clearing  off  to  the  left,  ready  to  cut 

down  the  enemy  when  they  come  into  the 

open.     He    will    know    when    to    charge. 

Are  the  guns  taken,  sir?" 

"  No,  sir ;  they  have  been  drawn  back 

114 


And   Love's  Afield 


on  the  second  line,  and  are  doing  good 
service." 

"  That  is  well ;  now  go,  sir,"  returned  the 
General.  "  The  Virginians  are  making  a 
brave  stand,"  he  added,  as  he  watched  the 
young  man  gallop  off  to  the  front,  "  but 
they  cannot  hold  out  much  longer.  They 
will  be  on  us  presently."  He  turned  to 
the  officers  behind  him.  "  Bring  your 
men  to  attention  !"  he  cried. 

The  wood  was  now  filled  with  the  roar 
of  the  guns,  and  the  crackling  and  rattling 
of  the  small  arms  rolled  through  the  trees 
in  continuous  vibration  with  an  ever-in- 
creasing volume  of  sound.  Great  masses 
of  blue  smoke  drifted  hither  and  thither 
and  obscured  the  view. 

Washington's  cavalry  presently  came 
forth  from  the  shelter  of  the  trees ;  as  they 
reached  the  open  they  broke  into  an  easy 
trot,  and  as  they  leaped  the  creek  and 
passed  up  the  valley  before  the   General 

115 


When   Blades  are  Out 


and  his  staff,  sitting  on  the  top  of  the  hill, 
swords  were  waved  in  the  air  and  the  men 
cheered  in  salute.  The  Continentals  be- 
hind fairly  shouted  with  delight.  Very 
handsome  the  little  band  of  cavaliers 
looked  as  they  rode  by,  following  their 
gallant  leader. 

The  Virginians  were  redeeming  them- 
selves, evidently.  They  were  making  a 
gallant  stand.  The  battle  roared  on.  The 
minutes  wore  away,  and  still  the  British 
did  not  appear.  After  a  few  moments  of 
suspense,  Greene  turned  to  another  staff- 
officer  and  bade  him  ride  down  to  the  sec- 
ond line  and  find  out  how  the  day  went. 
Before  the  officer  started,  however,  the 
Virginia  militia  began  to  appear  through 
the  trees.  They  were  not  running.  They 
stopped,  fired  from  behind  the  trees  like 
experienced  woodmen,  and  fell  back  once 
more,  loading  and  firing  again  and  again. 
General  Stevens  had  them  well  in  hand. 

Ii6 


And   Love's  Afield 


But  as  they  slowly  gave  back  they  at 
last  reached  the  open.  There  Stevens  was 
wounded  and  had  to  be  carried  off  the 
field.  It  was  a  demorahzing  circumstance. 
As  they  were  mainly  without  shelter  now, 
they  began  to  break ;  leaderless,  they 
moved  hastily  around  the  lefi:  flank  of  the 
Continentals  and  poured  down  the  Salis- 
bury road,  past  the  court-house,  on  the  run. 
They  had  done  splendid  service,  and  no 
one  could  blame  them  for  their  retreat.  It 
takes  a  veteran  to  face  a  bayonet,  and  a 
veteran  with  a  bayonet  at  that,  and  these 
men  were  without  that  weapon. 

In  fiont  of  the  hill  Kirkwood's  Dela- 
wares  were  retiring  in  excellent  order ;  up 
the  road  Singleton  brought  his  two  pieces 
of  artillery  at  a  gallop.  Directing  an  offi- 
cer to  endeavor  to  reform  the  Virginians 
behind  the  last  line  of  defence,  or  failing 
that   to   rally  them   on   the   baggage-train 

back  at  the  ironworks,  the  General  turned 

117 


When  Blades  are  Out 


to  the  Continentals  on  the  hill,  his  main 
dependence. 

The  moment  was  approaching, — it  was 
at  hand. 

With  the  retreat  of  the  Virginians  the 
roar  of  the  battle  died  away  save  on  the 
extreme  left,  where  the  crackling  musketry 
told  that  Lee  and  Campbell,  cut  off  from 
the  rest,  were  heroically  fighting  against 
heavy  odds.  The  wood  was  cleared  and 
the  red  coats  of  the  British  could  be  seen 
in  the  openings.  Presently,  reforming  their 
lines  under  the  shelter  of  the  trees,  they 
came  out  into  the  clearing. 

Their  ranks  were  closed  up  and  redressed, 
the  alignment  perfected  as  if  on  parade ; 
they  had  lost  heavily  in  the  advance 
through  the  wood,  but  they  still  presented 
a  most  formidable  and  splendid  appearance 
that  bright  sunny  afternoon.  There  on 
the  right  were  the  tall  brass  and  leather 
helmets   of  the   Hessians ;    next   to   them 

ii8 


And   Love's   Afield 


the  green  plaids  of  the  kilted  Highlanders  ; 
on  their  left  the  black  bearskins  of  the 
Guards ;  flirther  along  the  line  stretched 
the  brilliant  scarlet  of  the  Thirty-third 
Foot,  Cornwallis'  old  regiment ;  while  the 
extreme  left  was  held  by  the  Welsh  Fusil- 
eers,  the  Prince  of  Wales'  own.  There 
were  Yagers  and  Light  Infantry  covering 
either  flank,  and  reserve  battalions  of 
Guards.  Back  of  the  centre  was  Corn- 
wallis himself,  surrounded  by  a  brilliant 
staff  and  attended  by  a  squadron  of  Tarle- 
ton's  depleted  cavalry.  On  the  hill  by 
him,  the  British  battery  of  three  guns,  four- 
pounders,  was  drawn  up.  The  British 
right  wing  was  under  the  command  of 
General  Leslie,  with  Colonel  Stewart  sup- 
porting him ;  the  left  was  under  Colonel 
Webster.  The  supporting  battalions  of 
the  Guards  were  under  General  O'Hara. 
There   was   a   brief  lull    in    the    battle, 

which  was  broken  by  the  artillery  on  both 

119 


When   Blades  are  Out 


sides  resuming  the  engagement.  Under 
cover  of  the  smoke  Cornwallis  gave  the 
signal  to  Webster  to  advance.  Webster's 
brigade  ran  rapidly  down  the  hill  and  be- 
gan mounting  the  opposite  slope.  At  the 
same  time  Leslie's  force  was  extended  to 
the  right,  to  attack  the  Americans  in  the 
flank  if  possible.  Singleton's  two  guns, 
Kirkwood's  Delawares,  and  the  famous 
First  Maryland  Regiment  were  stationed 
in  front  of  Webster's  brigade.  Those  cool 
soldiers  took  a  careful  aim  at  the  British 
approaching  them,  and,  firing  slowly  and 
deliberately,  by  platoon  and  section,  abso- 
lutely smashed  the  British  advance. 

The  Englishmen  hesitated  and  began  to 
give  ground.  Colonel  Webster,  as  brave 
an  officer  as  ever  fought,  galloped  to  the 
front  of  his  shattered  lines  to  lead  them 
on.  Under  the  inspiration  of  his  splendid 
presence,    courage,    and    leadership,    they 

halted,  reformed,  and  resolutely  came  back 

1 20 


And   Love's  Afield 


at  the  hill  for  another  try ;  but  as  they  ap- 
proached the  American  lines  once  more 
they  blazed  forth  in  withering  fire  again. 
The  intrepid  Colonel  was  shot  and  instantly 
killed.  The  Une  wavered,  broke,  and  ran. 
This  time  it  did  not  rally. 

Meanwhile,  on  the  American  left  the 
Guards  and  the  Highlanders  had  at  last 
got  within  striking  distance  of  the  Second 
Maryland.  Colonel  Otho  Williams,  who 
commanded  the  American  left  brigade,  saw 
the  repulse  of  Webster's  men  and  had 
hoped  to  repeat  the  feat  on  the  other  flank, 
but  the  British  came  on  with  splendid 
courage  and  grim  determination,  withhold- 
ing their  fire  until  near  the  American  line, 
when  they  poured  it  in  upon  the  raw  Con- 
tinentals. At  this  critical  juncture,  actu- 
ated by  one  of  those  unaccountable  panics, 
in  spite  of  everything  the  officers  could 
do,  the  Second  Maryland  broke  and  fled. 
The  militia  had  not  run  faster  nor  farther. 

121 


When   Blades  are  Out 


As  a  regiment  it  was  gone.  The  left  flank 
of  the  American  army  was  open. 

On  the  right  the  Virginia  Hne  was  en- 
gaged at  long  shot,  but  was  in  no  present 
danger.  Cornwallis  had  ridden  down  into 
the  thick  of  Webster's  retreat  and,  sec- 
onded by  O'Hara,  was  trying  to  urge  the 
men  to  go  forward  again.  They  hesitated, 
and  the  front  of  the  First  Maryland  was 
left  clear  for  the  moment.  Realizing  the 
danger  to  his  exposed  left  flank,  Greene 
left  the  centre  and  galloped  to  the  First 
Maryland,  his  Tenth  Legion,  and  ordered 
it  to  wheel  to  the  left  and  open  upon 
the  Guards  and  the  Highlanders,  who  were 
coming  on  flushed  with  victory,  and  had 
actually  captured  the  two  American  guns 
on  the  left.  They  had  surmounted  the 
slope  and  were  now  on  the  hill. 

The  First  Maryland  responded  gallantly 
to  their  General's  demand.  The  horse  of 
Colonel    Gunby    was    shot,    and    he    was 

122 


And   Love's  Afield 


thrown  violently  to  the  ground,  but  John 
Eager  Howard,  their  Heutenant-colonel, 
than  whom  no  better  soldier  ever  lived, 
sprang  to  the  front  of  the  line  and,  waving 
his  sword,  gave  the  command  to  wheel  to 
the  left.  From  the  distance  Webster's 
shattered  brigade  began  to  pour  in  a  scat- 
tered fire,  but  they  were  held  in  check  by 
the  accurate  shooting  of  the  Delawares  and 
Virginians.  Meanwhile,  the  First  Mary- 
land swooped  down  on  the  Guards.  After 
delivering  a  terrific  volley  at  close  range 
into  the  thick  of  the  British,  Howard  lifted 
his  sword  and  gave  the  command  to  charge 
with  the  bayonet. 

It  was  the  sort  of  game  the  British  de- 
sired, and  a  game  they  had  played  before 
with  brilliant  success  on  many  fields. 
There  was  a  tradition  in  their  army  that 
Americans  could  not  stand  the  British 
bayonet.     The  tradition  was  shattered  that 

day.     The    veterans   of  Long    Island,   of 

123 


When   Blades  are  Out 


Princeton,  of  Trenton,  of  Brandywine,  of 
Germantown,  of  Valley  Forge,  of  Mon- 
mouth sprang  forward  eagerly  to  the  attack. 
Bayonets  crossed  in  bitter  hand-to-hand 
conflict,  and  the  battle  raged  with  terrific 
ferocity  in  the  smoke  around  the  captured 
guns.  The  British  fought  desperately  to 
retain  their  position,  but,  in  spite  of  their 
dogged  red-coat  courage,  the  Marylanders 
would  not  be  denied.  The  attack  was 
pushed  home  and  the  English  were  driven 
from  the  guns.  Leslie  had  been  sent  to 
another  part  of  the  field,  Stewart  was 
killed,  and  his  men  began  to  retire  slowly, 
still  fighting. 

Supports  were  sent  forward  on  the  run 
by  CornwaUis ;  the  British  turned  again, 
and  the  little  body  of  Marylanders  on  the 
hill  were  in  danger  of  being  overwhelmed. 
Greene's  horse  was  shot  in  the  melee,  and 
he  was  thrown  to  the  ground,  but  he  recov- 
ered himself  instantly,  remounted  another, 

124 


And  Love's  Afield 


and  cheered  on  his  men.  But  the  differ- 
ence in  numbers  began  to  tell  against  the 
Marylanders.  They  rallied  on  the  guns, 
however,  and  with  stern  resolution  held 
the  position.  Men  met  men  breast  to 
breast  and  thrust  and  hacked  and  beat  and 
hewed  at  each  other. 


HE      cavalry!"      cried 

'^f^"^    Greene,  in   the    thick    of 
^^    the  action.     "  Tell  Wash- 
ington  


But    that    able    soldier 

had  already  seen  the  peril.     His  men  had 

enjoyed  but  little  opportunity  for  fighting 

during  the  morning.     They  had  sat  their 

horses  uneasily  on  the  little  acclivity  on 

the   left  and  watched  the  advance  of  the 

British.      With    hearts   beating   and    eyes 

aflame,  they  lusted  for  the  sound  of  the 

126 


And   Love's  Afield 


charge.  The  horses,  splendid  specimens 
of  Virginia's  most  famous  breeds,  shared 
the  impatience  of  their  riders.  They  flung 
their  heads  into  the  air  and  pawed  the 
ground  nervously  and  shook  with  excite- 
ment. The  roar  of  the  battle  was  music 
to  them. 

There  was  a  time  when  they  might  have 
charged  across  the  open  with  good  effect, 
but  Washington,  with  a  soldier's  eye,  saw 
the  supreme  opportunity  was  not  yet  come. 
They  were  the  only  cavalry  left  in  the 
American  army,  and  they  could  not  be 
thrown  away.  Lee's  Legion  was  sur- 
rounded and  bravely  fighting  a  battle  of 
its  own  off  to  the  left.  Washington  must 
deliver  his  blow  when  it  would  prove  the 
most  telling.  There  would  be  time  but 
for  one  opportunity,  so  he  sat  his  horse 
like  an  iron  statue  and  waited. 

It  takes  courage  to  wait. 

He  saw  the  advance  of  the  Highlanders 

127 


When   Blades  are  Out 


and  the  Guards ;  saw  the  ignominious  re- 
treat of  the  Second  Maryland  ;  saw  Greene 
order  the  advance  of  the  famous  First  Mary- 
land ;  saw  the  volley  and  then  that  mag- 
nificent bayonet  charge. 

"  Now  I  Now  !  Let  us  advance  !"  at  last 
shrieked  one  of  the  young  men  in  the 
ranks  of  the  cavalry,  overcome  by  uncon- 
trollable excitement  and  enthusiasm. 

"  Silence  in  the  ranks !"  thundered 
Washington,  never  turning  his  head. 
Abashed  by  the  reproof,  the  young  soldier 
reined  in  his  horse.  Still,  the  time  had 
not  arrived,  the  Marylanders  could  take 
care  of  themselves.  When  the  supports 
advanced  he  would  strike,  so  Washington 
reasoned.  Presently  he  saw  the  Guards 
give  way  before  the  furious  Marylanders. 
Then  he  noticed  the  supports  sent  by  Corn- 
wallis  coming  forward  on  the  run.  Captain 
Baird,  at  the  head  of  his  troop  of  horse, 

thought  he  recognized  the  tall  form  of  Sir 

128 


And   Love's  Afield 


Francis  Duane  leading  them.  Back  of 
them  rode  Comwallis  himself.  Webster's 
shattered  brigade  had  at  last  been  reformed 
and  was  coming  up  the  hill.  A  horseman 
broke  from  the  melee  on  the  crest  and 
started  toward  Washington. 

"  Gentlemen,"  he  cried,  smiling  with 
fierce  pleasure,  "  I  think  now  is  our  time. 
Attention  !   Draw  sabres  !  Trot !   March  I" 

A  bugle-call  rang  over  the  field. 

Keeping  their  horses  well  in  hand,  the 
cavalry  started  down  the  slope,  deploying 
as  they  advanced.  Leaping  the  little 
branch,  or  brook,  the  trot  became  a 
canter.  Presently  the  canter  broke  into  a 
gallop. 

"  Charge  !"  shouted  Washington,  urging 
his  horse  into  a  wild  run.  Waving  their 
swords  in  the  air,  with  every  nerve  tingling 
and  every  muscle  tense  with  excitement, 
they  struck  the  broken  ranks  of  the  Guards 
on  the  flank,  scattered  them  Hke  chaff  be- 

9  129 


When   Blades  are  Out 


fore  the  wind,  and  plunged  like  a  stone 
in  a  wave  into  the  approaching  British 
line. 

The  horsemen  had  spread  out  in  obedi- 
ence to  the  orders  of  their  Colonel  as  they 
galloped,  and  in  a  long,  thin  line  they  struck 
the  British,  in  spite  of  a  scattering  fire, 
with  tremendous  force.  The  crash  of  their 
meeting  was  heard  all  over  the  field.  There 
was  no  time  for  the  English  to  prepare  to 
receive  the  charge  with  the  bayonet.  They 
heard  the  wild  yelling  of  the  men,  ^  the 
thunder  of  the  hoofs  on  the  ground ;  they 
caught  a  glimpse  of  maddened  horses, 
white-faced  men  bending  above  them,  bare 
and  gleaming  weapons — and  the  cavalry 
burst  on  them  like  a  storm. 

Sir  Francis  Duane,  on  horseback,  threw 
himself  in  front  of  his  troops  and  franti- 
cally called  upon  them  to  stand  firm.  In 
vain  ;  the  soldiers  gave  way  before  the  terri- 
ble   onset.      Washington    himself  was  in 

T30 


And  Love's  Afield 


the  lead  upon  the  right  of  the  cavalry, 
Baird  upon  the  left.  The  American  Cap- 
tain urged  his  horse  toward  Duane.  The 
two  met  and  crossed  swords.  A  light  of 
recognition  shone  in  the  eyes  of  each, 
although  they  said  no  word.  Steel  rang 
against  steel  as  the  blades  gritted  against 
each  other.  The  advantage  of  the  onset 
was  with  the  American.  He  beat  down 
the  Englishman's  guard  and  thrust  violently 
at  him.  Sir  Francis  swerved,  and  the 
sword  went  through  his  arm.  The  next 
instant  he  was  borne  back  in  the  rout.  At 
the  same  time  a  bayonet  thrust  from  the 
hand  of  some  dying,  desperate  Highlander 
despatched  Baird's  horse,  and  a  random 
bullet  from  the  hill  struck  him  in  the  body 
as  he  fell. 

The  unchecked  cavalry  sped  on,  cutting 
and  slaughtering,  the  iron  hoofs  of  the 
horses  trampling  the  dead  and  wounded 
under  foot  in  hideous  and  impartial  horror. 

131 


When   Blades  are  Out 


As  the  men  broke  through  the  British  Hnes 
on  the  other  side,  they  swerved  around  to 
where  General  Greene  sat  on  his  horse  on 
the  hill-top. 

"  Well  done,  the  horse  !"  he  cried,  with 
his  eyes  shining.  "  A  splendid  charge  !  You 
have  saved  us  !  Into  it  again  I  Take  your 
men  back  once  more,  sir  I"  he  shouted  to 
Washington,  pointing  towards  the  British. 
"  Forward,  the  First  Maryland  !" 

This  time  there  was  no  repulse.  After 
a  confused  melee  the  British  began  to  give 
ground  and  ran  down  the  hill,  closely  fol- 
lowed by  their  pursuers.  Unless  their  re- 
treat could  be  stopped  they  would  be  lost. 
Cornwallis  had  a  dreadful  alternative  before 
him,  defeat  or  the  destruction  of  his  own 
men.  He  chose  the  latter,  and  opened 
with  his  artillery  upon  the  men  engaged 
in  that  hand-to-hand  struggle,  firing  upon 
friend  and  foe  alike.     Presently  the  British 

fairly  turned  and  ran  from  the  hill,  reform- 

132 


And   Love's  Afield 


ing  as  they  could  upon  their  own  guns, 
and  leaving  a  clear  space  in  fi-ont  of  them. 
The  American  advance  was  halted  by  the 
furious  artillery  fire  from  the  British  guns, 
and  by  Greene's  orders  they  withdrew  to 
the  hill  again. 

Three  horses  had  been  shot  from  under 
Cornwallis  in  the  engagement.  His  guns 
had  killed  many  of  his  own  troops,  but 
had  effected  the  salvation  of  his  army. 
He  had  lost  fearfully  in  the  battle,  his 
killed  and  wounded  amounting  to  some 
six  hundred,  or  one-fourth  of  his  whole 
force.  He  still  possessed,  however,  fifteen 
hundred  excellent  troops,  who  had  done 
such  fighting  on  that  day  as  would  im- 
mortalize them  forever.  Immediately  the 
Earl  began  reforming  them  for  a  final 
attack. 

By  the  defection  of  the  militia,  the  re- 
treat of  the  Second  Maryland,  and  many 
casualties,   Greene's   forces   were    now    re- 

^33 


When   Blades  are  Out 


duced  to  something  like  one  thousand 
men.  Stevens  had  not  succeeded  in  re- 
forming his  men  ;  Lee  and  his  Legion  had 
been  cut  off  from  the  army  and  had  not 
rejoined  the  main  body.  The  Virginia 
Continentals  had  done  well  in  the  action, 
but  they  were  not  to  be  counted  upon  in 
the  hand-to-hand  fighting  with  which  it 
was  evident  Cornwallis  proposed  to  end 
the  day.  The  First  Maryland  had  suffered 
severely,  though  its  morale  and  spirit  were 
unbroken.  They  had  fought  gallantly, 
and  so  far  honors  were  even.  If  the  Amer- 
ican army  were  destroyed,  Cornwallis'  end 
would  be  attained.  If,  however,  Greene 
could  preserve  his  Continental  nucleus 
as  a  rallying-point,  he  might  win  the 
campaign,  though  he  lost  the  day  and 
yielded  possession  of  the  field.  Should 
he  stake  the  cause  of  the  country  upon 
one    throw '?     Wisely,    he    determined    to 

retreat. 

134 


And   Love's  Afield 


Deploying  the  Virginia  brigade  as  a  rear- 
guard, he  skilfully  withdrew  his  troops 
from  the  battle-field,  picking  up  the  scat- 
tered First  Maryland  on  the  way  and  over- 
taking the  Virginia  militia  as  he  marched. 
When  he  reached  the  rallying-point  on  the 
Haw  River  he  fell  from  his  horse  in  a  dead 
faint.  Cornwallis  made  practically  no  pur- 
suit. Greene  was  forced  to  abandon  his 
guns,  as  the  horses  had  all  been  killed,  and 
Cornwallis  remained  in  possession  of  the 
field.  He  had  won  a  technical  victory, 
but  at  a  fearful  cost.  Many  of  his  best 
and  bravest  ofBcers  had  been  killed  and  a 
number  severely  wounded.  The  slaugh- 
ter among  the  rank  and  file  had  been 
dreadful. 

The  day  after  the  battle,  abandoning  the 
severely  wounded  to  the  Americans,  Corn- 
wallis, without  baggage  and  supplies,  gave 
up  the  field  he  had  so  gallantly  contested 
and  obtained,  and  began  that  march  toward 

135 


When   Blades  are  Out 


the  coast  which  threw  him  into  the  arms 
of  Washington  and  de  Rochambeau  at 
Yorktown.  Greene  immediately  reoccu- 
pied  the  field,  and  despatched  Lee  and 
Colonel  Washington  to  harass  the  retreat- 
ing British  soldiery. 


LORD   CORNWALLIS 

PAYS    AN    AWFUL 

PRICE 

ROM  the  high  porch  of 
the  old  house  on  the  hill 
back  of  the  town  the  two 
young  women  had  watched 
the  varying  course  of  the 
bitter  struggle  in  front  of  the  court-house. 
To  the  awful  fascination  of  the  battle  were 
speedily  added  those  intense  and  painful 
emotions  of  the  heart  which  arose  from 
the  consciousness  that  the  lives  of  the 
men  they  loved  were  in  jeopardy  on  the 
field. 

137 


When   Blades  are  Out 


The  statement  is  entirely  accurate,  for 
there  was  no  doubt  of  the  affection  of 
Curtis  Baird  for  Isabel,  and  the  valiant 
effort  Duane  had  made  to  cast  from  his 
heart  the  image  of  the  mocking  Sarah  had 
been  such  an  utter  failure  that  he  could  no 
longer  disguise  his  passion.  As  for  that 
young  lady,  although  she  had  not  admitted 
even  to  herself  hitherto  the  intensity  with 
which  she  craved  his  affection,  and  would 
have  returned  it  had  she  realized  it  had  been 
bestowed  upon  her,  yet  under  the  touch- 
stone of  the  imminent  deadly  peril  to  her 
lover  in  the  combat,  her  heart  was  revealed. 
No  one  else,  however,  suspected  this. 

Isabel,  although  unwilling,  with  the  pecu- 
liar compliance  of  that  by-gone  day — and 
it  would  have  been  nearly  impossible  to 
run  counter  to  the  influence  and  will  of 
her  father,  in  fact — had  acquiesced  in  her 
betrothal  to  Sir  Francis,  but  she  could  no 
more  control  her  feelings  under  the  circum- 

138 


And   Love's  Afield 


stances  in  which  she  found  herself  than 
could  her  cousin. 

So  the  blue  eyes  of  the  one  girl  fol- 
lowed the  movements  of  the  squadron  of 
cavalry,  and  with  the  keenness  of  affection 
easily  singled  out  the  object  of  her  devo- 
tion, sitting  her  own  gray  mare — he  and 
the  General  had  exchanged  horses  at  his 
request,  by  the  way,  as  they  left  the  hall — 
at  the  head  of  his  troop  ;  while  the  black 
eyes  of  the  other  girl  with  as  much  eager- 
ness scanned  the  advancing  British  lines, 
and  presently  were  rewarded  by  the  sight 
of  the  tall  scarlet-clad  figure  of  her  hero, 
as  he  led  the  reserves  to  throw  back  the 
counter  attack  of  the  First  Marvland. 

The  two  girls,  with  the  assistance  of  the 
Judge,  who  explained  everything,  eagerly 
followed  the  attack  with  sensations  as 
vivid  as  they  were  painful.  They  saw  the 
splendid  charge  of  the  cavalry,  but  in  the 
dust  and  smoke  of  the  melee,  after  the  two 

139 


When   Blades  are  Out 


bodies  of  contestants  mingled  in  the  con- 
flict, they  lost  sight  of  the  two  figures  to 
which  their  attention  had  been  so  steadily 
given,  and  though  they  searched  the  field 
with  intense  glances  during  the  cessation 
of  the  battle,  while  Cornwallis  reformed 
his  line  within  the  shelter  of  the  wood, 
they  could  detect  neither  the  one  nor  the 
other. 

The  ground  was  dotted  with  bodies  of 
the  fallen,  convulsive  movements  here  and 
there  proclaiming  that  life  still  continued 
in  some  of  them.  The  red-coats  lay  like 
vivid  gouts  of  blood  upon  the  trampled 
sod,  but  there  was  not  a  few  in  faded  blue 
and  buff  as  well,  and  the  light  from  the 
polished  helmets  scattered  about  showed 
that  the  cavalry  had  not  come  off  scatheless. 

Though  the  smoke  had  drifted  up  and 

away,  a  blue  haze  still  hung  over  the  hills, 

for  the  wind  had  been  killed  by  the  furious 

cannonade.     Riderless  horses  were  gallop- 

140 


And   Love's  Afield 


ing  aimlessly  about  over  the  scene  of  con- 
flict, while  others  lay  desperately  wounded, 
adding  shrill,  uncanny  screams  of  pain  to 
the  ghastly  horrors  of  the  occasion. 

"  I  do  not  see  him  anywhere,"  remarked 
Isabel,  in  great  anxiety. 

"  Nor  I,"  added  Sarah,  striving  to  stifle 
her  emotion,  and  referring,  of  course,  to  a 
different  person. 

"  I  have  no  doubt  he  is  all  right,"  said 
the  Judge,  consolingly.  "  The  Americans 
would  never  dare " 

"  I  do  not  refer  to  Colonel  Duane,"  in- 
terrupted Isabel,  hastily.  "  And  the  Ameri- 
cans seem  to  have  dared  much  yonder." 

"  But  I  do,"  muttered  Sarah,  under  her 
breath. 

"  To  whom,  then  ?"  asked  the  Judge, 
ignoring  his  daughter's  last  remark.  "  It 
cannot  be  possible  that  you  still  permit 
yourself  to  entertain  feelings  of — er — at- 
tachment toward  that  young  American  V 

141 


When   Blades  are   Out 


"  See,  they  are  moving  again  I"  cried 
Sarah,  scanning  the  red  line  coming  out  of 
the  wood.  Isabel  shot  a  glance  of  grati- 
tude at  her  for  diverting  the  attention  of 
the  Judge,  who  instantly  turned  his  gaze 
toward  the  battle-field. 

"  Yes,  yes  I"  he  exclaimed,  exultantly. 
"  I  thought  it  would  be  but  a  temporary 
reverse.     Now  we  shall  see " 

And  see  they  did,  for  simultaneously 
with  the  British  movements  the  with- 
drawal of  the  American  troops  began. 
There  was  a  desultory  skirmish  between 
the  British  van  and  the  American  rear- 
guard, but  it  was  evident  that  the  battle 
was  over. 

"  We  have  won !"  cried  the  Judge. 
"  God  save  the  King !  Providence  has 
frowned  upon  rebellion  since  the  Angels 
fell.     A  glorious  day  for  our  country  I" 

"  Not  for  mine,  sir !"  said  Isabel,  firmly. 

"  Nor  for  mine  I"  added  Sarah. 

142 


And   Love's   Afield 


"  And  although  we  are  retreating,"  Isa- 
bel continued,  "  I  am  sure  we  are  not  de- 
feated. See  the  red  men  on  the  slope,  and 
note  how  many  are  lying  there,  compared 
with  the  blue  I  General  Greene  told  you 
that  he  could  not  lose  his  army,  that  a  bat- 
tle more  or  less  meant  nothing,  but  that  an 
army  lost  meant  the  loss  of  the  South. 
Father,"  she  added,  "  I — we — must  go 
down  to  the  field  I  They — he — may  be 
wounded — killed — there.  I  cannot  bear 
it!" 

"  Who  may  be  *?  To  whom  do  you 
refer?"  demanded  the  Judge,  imperiously. 

"  To  Sir  Francis  Duane,  who  else  V  in- 
terrupted Sarah,  again,  anxious  on  her  own 
account  and  to  save  her  cousin.  "  He  may 
be,  as  Isabel  says,  wounded  or  dying.  Let 
us  go  !" 

"  A  battle-field  is  no  place  for  females," 
remarked  the  Judge,  uncertainly  ;  "  still,  I 
am  so  glad  to  see  such  evidences  of  affec- 

143 


When   Blades  are  Out 


tion  on  your  part,  Isabel,  that  I  will  have 
the  carriage  called  and  we  will  drive  down 
at  once." 

A  short  time  after,  the  carriage  stopped 
near  a  brilliant  group  of  officers  who  occu- 
pied the  same  hill  upon  which  General 
Greene  and  his  men  had  waited  for  news 
of  the  enemy  early  in  the  morning.  As 
the  Judge  descended  from  the  carriage, 
Cornwallis  espied  the  two  ladies  and  rode 
toward  them,  followed  by  his  staff.  They 
had  met  the  previous  winter  at  Charleston, 
and  he  was  glad  to  renew  their  acquaint- 
ance. It  was  policy,  too,  to  conciliate  the 
people  of  the  country  so  far  as  possible,  and 
Judge  Burton  was  certainly  the  most  promi- 
nent and  influential  loyalist  and  Tory  for 
miles  around. 

The  Earl's  brilliant  scarlet  uniform  was 
soiled  and  stained.  Three  horses  had  been 
shot  from  under  him  during  the  battle,  and 
he  had  come  in  contact  rather  heavily  with 

1 44 


And   Love's   Afield 


the  earth  on  two  occasions.  When  he 
burned  the  baggage  of  his  army  to  faciU- 
tate  the  pursuit,  he  had  not  spared  himself, 
and  the  two  months'  desperate  campaign- 
ing had  left  its  mark  upon  him  as 
well. 

He  smiled  politely  as  he  gracefully 
saluted  the  ladies,  though  the  effort  he 
made  to  dispel  the  thoughtful  sadness  of 
his  careworn  face  was  a  failure. 

**  I  am  happy,"  he  remarked,  "  at  being 
privileged  to  renew  my  acquaintance  with 
the  Misses  Burton  and  Mr.  Justice  Burton, 
a  loyal  servant  of  the  King." 

"  God  bless  him  !"  cried  the  Judge,  lift- 
ing his  hat.  "  I  congratulate  your  Lord- 
ship upon  a  glorious  victory  I  A  splendid 
feat  of  arms,  sir  I  We  watched  it  from 
yonder  house.  Such  fighting,  I  venture  to 
say,  has  rarely  been  done  by  His  Majesty's 
troops  as  on  this  day  I" 

"  They  have  done  well,   but  they  met 
xo  145 


When   Blades  are  Out 


their  match,  though,"  repHed  Cornwallis, 
"  in  that  ragged  Maryland  regiment  whose 
mettle  we  have  tried,  it  seems  to  me,  on 
every  field  on  which  we  have  engaged, 
from  New  York  to  North  Carolina.  As 
you  say,  sir,  it  was  a  glorious  day  for  His 
Majesty's  arms.  The  field  is  ours,  but  at 
what  a  cost !  What  a  frightful  cost  I"  he 
added,  passing  his  hand  over  his  brow  and 
pointing  out  to  the  field.  "  Look  yonder 
at  the  price  we  paid  !  Never  saw  I  such 
fighting  !  In  a  hundred  battles  I  never  met 
with  such  resistance  I  See  that  heap  of 
dead  around  those  two  guns  !  Another 
such  victory  would  leave  us  undone,  I  fear, 
and  yet  we  would  have  swept  them  all  off 
the  field  had  it  not  been  for  Washington's 
horse,  which  stopped  Duane's  advance  by 
a  brilliant  charge.  I  had  to  open  upon  my 
own  men  to  save  the  day,"  he  cried,  turn- 
ing his  face  away  as  the  recollection  came 

back  to  him. 

146 


y^ 


^ft^ 


*/3|i>* 


M^ 


And   Love's  Afield 


''  I  saw  it,  sir,"  said  the  Judge.  "  It  was, 
indeed,  a  terrible  alternative." 

"  A  defeat  meant  annihilation,  the  loss 
of  the  South,"  said  Cornwallis,  gravely. 
"  General  O'Hara  is  wounded,  Stewart  and 
Webster  killed,  and  hundreds  of  other 
brave  men  !"     He  sighed  sadly. 

"Sir  Francis  Duane,  sir?"  asked  the 
Judge.     "  I  do  not  see  him." 

"  He  went  down  under  Washington's 
cavalry  charge.  He  is  out  there  with 
the  rest.  The  surgeons  are  doing  the 
best " 

"  Hold,  sir  !"  exclaimed  the  Judge,  warn- 
ingly.     "  He  is  the  betrothed  of " 

Cornwallis  turned  to  the  two  young 
ladies  in  intense  surprise.  Isabel's  eyes 
were  still  roving  over  the  field.  The  state- 
ment of  the  Earl  had  made  no  impression 
upon  her.  Sarah,  on  the  contrary,  had 
turned  deathly  pale,  and  w^as  leaning  for- 
ward, her  hand  clutching  the  bosom  of  her 

147 


When   Blades  are  Out 


dress.  As  she  heard  the  Earl's  words,  she 
sprang  from  the  carriage  and  made  her  way 
down  the  hill.  After  a  momentary  hesita- 
tion Isabel  followed  her. 

"  Your  pardon,  Mr.  Justice,"  said  the 
Earl,  quickly,  "  I  was  not  aware  of  his 
relations  to  your  niece." 

"  To  my  daughter,  sir  I"  said  the  Judge, 
testily.  "  My  niece  has  no  interest  what- 
ever in  Sir  Francis  save  a  cousinly  one." 

"  Well,  let  us  hope  that  they  may  find 
him  all  right,"  repUed  the  mystified  Corn- 
wallis.  "  As  for  me,  you  will  excuse  me, 
I'm  sure.  I  have  pressing  duties  to  attend 
to.  Lieutenant  Levison  will  go  with  you, 
and  you  have,  of  course,  the  freedom  of 
the  field." 

Attended  by  the  young  Lieutenant  from 
the  British  General's  staff,  Judge  Burton 
walked  down  the  hill  in  the  direction  the 
girls  had  taken. 


148 


)lf  HE  battle-field  was  a  re- 
volting scene.  Nearly  one 
thousand  men  in  the  short 
space  of  half  an  hour  had 
fallen  upon  that  little  hill. 
The  soft  fresh  grass  of  the  morning  was 
trampled  and  torn  up  in  every  direction. 
There  were  purple  stains  upon  the  turf 
other  than  the  violets  I  The  green  field 
was  covered  with  great,  deep  blotches 
where  the  blood  of  wounded  soldiers  had 

been   poured  upon   it.     The  dead   lay  in 

149 


When   Blades  are  Out 


every  conceivable  position  and  with  every 
possible  expression  upon  their  faces.  Some 
looked  as  if  they  had  fallen  peacefully 
asleep.  Others  had  torn  up  the  sod  in 
their  death  agony,  and  their  white  or  blood- 
stained faces  were  turned  up  to  the  sky 
with  such  a  look  of  terror  and  anguish 
fixed  upon  them  as  froze  the  blood. 

Where  the  fighting  had  been  hardest, 
around  the  abandoned  gun-carriages,  which 
were  splashed  with  blood,  bodies  were  piled 
in  heaps.  The  course  the  cavalry  had  taken 
in  the  charge  was  marked  by  a  broad  trail 
thick  with  bodies,  many  of  which  had  been 
trampled  by  the  iron-shod  hoofs  of  the 
horses  with  results  too  sickening  to  dwell 
upon. 

In  addition  to  the  dead,  the  ground  was 
covered  with  wounded,  begging  for  water, 
moaning  and  shrieking  in  pain,  or  raving 
in  fever.  Among  them  the  English  sur- 
geons were  working  heroically,  doing  what 

150 


And   Love's  Afield 


thev  could  for  all  that  needed  succor  as 
they  came  upon  them  without  regard  to 
the  uniform  they  wore.  They  were  few  in 
number,  however,  and  the  work  was  great. 

The  two  girls  had  stopped  on  the  edge 
of  the  field  appalled  by  the  harrowing 
situation.  From  the  porch  the  hideous 
side  of  war  had  not  been  in  evidence. 
There  they  had  seen  the  glory  and  the 
splendor,  the  pomp  and  circumstance  of  it. 
Here  they  were  brought  face  to  face  with 
the  naked,  stark,  brutal  truth  of  its  hideous 
realitv. 

They  gazed  about  them,  white-faced 
and  shrinking,  but  the  consuming  desire 
in  their  hearts  constrained  them  to  go  on, 
and,  overcoming  their  natural  repugnance, 
they  threaded  their  way  over  the  field  amid 
the  dazed  and  delirious  wounded.  Isabel's 
eyes  took  no  note  of  the  red-coats,  but 
scanned  the  men  with  the  leather  helmets ; 
Sarah  looked  for  another  figure. 

151 


When   Blades  are  Out 


Bent  upon  differing  purposes,  uncon- 
sciously they  separated,  and  Sarah  made 
her  way  toward  the  edge  of  the  wood. 
There  under  a  tree,  propped  up  against  it, 
in  fact,  lay  Sir  Francis  Duane.  The  sur- 
geons had  just  left  him.  In  addition  to 
the  sword-wound  which  Baird  had  given 
him,  he  had  been  shot  in  the  back  by  the 
fire  of  the  British  guns  when  CornwaUis 
opened  on  the  mass.  He  was  not  seriously 
hurt,  however,  and  neither  wound  would 
require  much  time  in  heaUng.  As  Sarah 
caught  sight  of  him  she  fairly  fled  to  his 
side.  She  sank  down  on  her  knees  by  him 
and,  clasping  his  unwounded  hand,  drew  it 
to  her  breast. 

"  Oh  I"  she  gasped,  in  a  voice  full  of 

apprehension   and   anxiety,  and   in   which 

her  love   for   him   would   show   itself,   "  I 

have  found  you  !    Tell  me — tell  me,  where 

are  you  wounded  V 

"  You  have  forgiven  me  for   my  rude- 

152 


And   Love's  Afield 


ness  when  I  bade  you  good-by  a  month 
ago?"  he  asked,  smihng  reassuringly  at 
her. 

"  But  your  wounds  I"  she  pleaded  ;  "  tell 
me  of  them  !  Why  trifle  now  under  the 
circumstances  V 

"  They  amount  to  nothing,"  he  answered, 
before  her  compelling  gaze  ;  "  a  sword-cut 
in  the  arm,  and  a  piece  of  shell  in  the — 
ah — ah — back." 

"  Back  ?"  she  cried.     "  Did  you — 


?» 


"  I  did  not.  Miss  Burton,"  he  replied,  with 
great  dignity,  discerning  her  thought ;  "  it 
was  a  shot  from  our  own  guns." 

"  I  am  glad  for  that.  And  the  sword- 
wound?" 

"  Your  friend,  Mr.  Baird,  presented  me 
with  that.     My  horse  stumbled,  or  he " 

"  Where  is  he  ?  Know  you  aught  of 
him?"  she  continued,  eagerly. 

"  We  came  together  in  the  thick  of  it," 
he  answered, ''  when  their  horse  swept  down 

153 


When   Blades  are  Out 


on  our  flank,  and  he  went  down.  Why 
do  you  ask "?  Are  you  interested  in  him  ?" 
he  queried,  jealously. 

"  I  ?  Certainly,  sir  I  I  am  seeking 
him." 

"  Oh  I  You  saw  the  battle  from  the 
plantation  yonder,  did  you  V 

"  Yes." 

"  And  you  followed  the  charge  of  the 
horse  ?" 

"  Certainly.     Wasn't  it  splendid  T' 

"  It  was.  Why  are  you  seeking  for 
him,  then,  over  here  on  the  edge  of  the 
wood,  where  the  cavalry  never  went  V  he 
questioned,  keenly.  She  made  no  answer. 
"  And  was  it  for  him  that  you  turned  pale 
and  clasped  my  hand  to  your  heart  *?"  he 
added. 

"  No,"  she  answered,  brightly  ;  "  I  will 
be  honest  with  you.     It  was  not  for  him." 

His  eyes  sparkled  with  pleasure  at  this 

naive  admission. 

154 


And   Love's  Afield 


"Ah  I  Was  it  for  me,  perhaps?"  he 
asked. 

"No;  for  Isabel." 

"  For  Isabel  I"  he  exclaimed.  "  I  had 
fogotten  her  in  your  presence  !   In  fact " 

"  You  forgot  her  broad  acres,  I  sup- 
pose ?" 

"  Damn  her  broad  acres !"  he  shouted, 
passionately.     "  You  exasperate " 

"  Nice  lanfruage  for  a  soldier  in  the 
presence  of  a  lady  I"  she  answered.  "  But 
you  are  wounded,  sick,  and  feverish.  The 
heat  of  battle  is  on  you,  and  I  forgive  you. 
You  will  be  yourself  later  on  and  will  re- 
member. You  owe  me  two  apologies 
now,  sir." 

"  Two  ?"  he  asked. 

"  Yes,  one  for  your  rudeness  in  the  hall." 

"  I  will  pay  it  in  the  same  coin,"  he  said, 
recklessly. 

"  Fie,  sir  !  And  Isabel.  Remember," 
she  cried,  lifting  a  finger  again,  the  same 

155 


When   Blades  are  Out 


deliciously  provoking  little  finger  she  had 
used  so  effectively  once  before,  "  that  Isabel 
has  the  broad  acres  !" 

He  was  quite  as  angry  as  he  had  been, 
but  by  a  strong  effort  he  regained  control 
of  himself,  and  after  a  moment  asked, — 

"  Where  is  she  now,  I  wonder  *?  Did 
you  come  here  alone  ?" 

"  She  is  seeking  you,"  Sarah  answered, 
most  untruthfully,  "  in  another  part  of  the 
field.     I  will  go  and  fetch  her." 

Sir  Francis  lifted  himself  on  his  un- 
wounded  arm  and  turned  toward  the  hill. 

"  You  will  find  her  over  there  where 
Baird  fell,"  he  said. 

"  Very  well,"  she  said,  turning  away. 

"  Will  you  come  back  to  me  V  he 
called  after  her. 

"  With  Isabel?"  she  called  back. 

"  With    anybody,    so    you    come  I"    he 

added,  desperately. 

It  had  not  taken  Isabel  long  to  find  the 

156 


And   Love's  Afield 


object  of  her  search.  Right  on  the  edge 
of  the  place  where  the  cavalry  had  made 
their  attack  on  the  infantry  she  discovered 
him.  Her  heart  almost  stopped  beating 
when  she  saw  him.  He  was  desperately 
wounded,  and  moaning  pitifully.  No  sur- 
geon had  yet  reached  him.  She  must  do 
something  for  him  herself,  lest  he  die  and 
she  with  him. 

A  canteen  belonging  to  a  dead  soldier 
lay  near  her.  With  eager  hands  she  drew 
the  cork  and  bathed  his  face  with  the 
precious  fluid.  Then,  lifting  his  head,  she 
poured  a  little  down  his  throat.  With  still 
heart  she  watched  him.  His  eyes  opened, 
he  started,  stared  vacantly  a  moment,  and 
then  recognition  came. 

"  You  here  I"  he  murmured,  weakly;  and 
with  recognition  came  recollection.  "  You 
will  find  Colonel  Duane  back  by  the 
wood,  I  do  not  think  much  hurt,"  he  added, 
wearily. 

157 


When   Blades  are  Out 


"  I  did  not  come  to  seek  Sir  Francis," 
she  answered,  softly,  taking  his  hand  in 
her  own,  joy  in  his  recognition  of  her 
show^ing  itself  in  the  color  returning  to 
her  face,  "  but  you." 

"  Me  I"  he  cried,  in  surprise  ;  and  even  in 
his  weakness  the  pleasure  in  his  face  was 
apparent  also. 

"  Tell  me,"  she  went  on,  anxiously, 
"  are  you  badly  wounded "?  Do  you  suf- 
fer?    Can  I  do  anything?" 

"  I  am  done  for  this  timiC,  I  fear.  It  was  a 
glorious  fight  I  Don't  marry  Duane.  I — I 
— I  love  you  !  Form  up,  gentlemen  I"  he 
cried,  lifting  himself     "  Ready  !    Charge  !" 

He  sank  back  in  her  arms. 

Jude:e  Burton  and  Sarah  found  her 
staring,  dry-eyed  and  silent,  at  his  mo- 
tionless figure. 

"  Sir   Francis    is  in   the  wood   yonder," 

said  Sarah,  laying  her  hand  upon  Isabel's 

shoulder.     "  He  would  fain  see  you " 

158 


f   ^'wX-r  *.,-S«<*  X 


m 


\^M^\ 


fyJJ^ 


Charge 


*^*>» 


M^» 


And   Love's  Afield 


"  I  cannot  go,"  she  whispered  ;  "  I  can- 
not leave  him  here  I  I  care  not  if  Sir 
Francis  lives  or  dies  I  My  heart  is  here  !" 
she  cried,  wildly,  sinking  prone  upon  the 
sod. 

The  next  day  Cornwallis,  leaving  his 
own  more  seriously  wounded  to  the  merci- 
ful care  of  the  American  commander, 
abandoned  the  stricken  field  and  began  that 
march  toward  the  coast  which  ended  at 
Yorktown.  Common  humanity  and  old 
acquaintanceship  compelled  Judge  Burton 
to  accede  to  Isabel's  demand,  and  Captain 
Baird  was  tenderly  raised  and  carried  to  the 
old  manor  house  on  the  hill,  where  he  re- 
ceived every  attention.  He  remained  un- 
conscious for  days. 

Long  before  he  came  to  his  senses  Col- 
onel Duane,  who  had  enjoyed  the  same 
hospitable  shelter,  had  recovered  from  his 
lighter  wounds  and  had  gone  away  in  pur- 
suance of  his  duties.     Cornwallis  had  at- 

159 


When   Blades  are  Out 


tached  him  to  the  staff  of  Lord  Rawdon, 
who  had  been  left  in  command  in  the  Caro- 
Hnas.  Rawdon  had  given  him  charge  of 
a  legion  of  horse  with  a  roving  commis- 
sion. 

His  love-affairs  were  in  as  tangled  a  state 
as  his  financial  condition.  Isabel's  love  for 
Baird  was  no  longer  a  secret,  and  his  own 
infatuation  for  Sarah  was  stronger  with 
every  moment,  yet,  with  manlike  jealousy, 
he  hated  Baird  and  clung  tenaciously  to  his 
engagement  with  Isabel,  while  he  nursed 
the  love  in  his  heart  for  Sarah.  Both 
girls  were  fearfully  unhappy,  so  were  both 
men. 

So  matters  drifted  on  until  Captain  Baird 
grew  stronger  and  was  able  to  resume  his 
duties.  So  far  as  the  Judge  was  concerned, 
he  had  been  from  the  first  an  unwelcome 
guest,  and  the  old  man  made  no  secret  of 
his  gratification  over  his  departure.  He 
had  prevented  as  far  as  possible  any  inter- 

i6o 


And   Love's  Afield 


course  between  his  daughter  and  the  young 
American. 

The  horse  Isabel  had  lent  to  Baird  hav- 
ing been  killed,  she  insisted  that  he  take 
his  own,  which  he  had  left  with  her.  He 
had  naturally  demurred,  but  when  she 
pleaded  for  permission  to  make  the  gift  for 
the  sake  of  her  country  and  the  cause  they 
adored,  he  had  acceded  to  her  request. 
The  morning  of  his  departure — the  Judge 
being  by  chance  absent — had  been  spent 
in  unavailing  pleas  to  make  her  refuse 
obedience  to  her  father  and  break  her 
engagement. 

"  While  I  am  a  free  agent,"  she  had  said, 
with  curious  contradiction,  "  I  must  obey 
my  father  and  keep  my  word." 

He  caught  at  the  chance  implied  in  her 
words. 

"  Free  agent  ?"  he  cried.  "  And  if  you 
are  not,  what  then  V 

"  Why,  then,  I  suppose,"  she  answered, 


IZ 


i6i 


When   Blades  are   Out 


slowly,  "  then  I  should  be  compelled  to  do 
as  my  captor — but  why  speak  of  it?"  she 
said,  sadly. 

"  You  give  me  a  hope  I"  he  cried,  buoy- 
antly, kissing  her  hand,  and  then  as  he 
slowly  climbed  into  the  saddle,  his  weak 
condition  permitting  no  more  rapid  move- 
ment, he  bent  low  before  her  and  said, 
boldly,  "  I  shall  have  you  if  I  have  to  tear 
you  from  his  arms  at  the  altar !" 

"  I  shall  take  good  care,"  cried  the  Judge, 
wrathfuUy,  coming  around  the  corner  of 
the  house,  having  overheard  the  last  remark, 
"  that  you  shall  have  no  such  opportunity 
afforded  you  !" 


BOOK    IV 

,  A  RIDE   FOR   LOVE 


MONTH  later  and  the 
sunlight  of  summer  was 
flooding  the  land.  Two 
men  were  standing  in  a 
by-road  under  the  shadow 
of  a  great  cliff  which  rose  abruptly  by  the 
side  of  them,  and  one  was  intently  listen- 
ing to  the  other.  Their  horses,  which 
each  held  by  the  bridle,  were  quietly  crop- 
ping the  grass  behind  them.  The  place 
where  they  stood  was  the   intersection  of 

two    roads    nearly   at    right    angles.     The 

165 


When   Blades  are  Out 


country  was  mountainous  and  broken,  and 
both  roads  were  crooked.  One  was  a 
rather  well-travelled  highway  which  wound 
around  the  hills,  and  just  before  it  reached 
the  spot  where  the  horsemen  were  standing 
sprung  in  an  abrupt  curve  around  the  mass 
of  rock  and  trees  which  concealed  the  two 
men  from  any  approaching  party  in  that 
direction.  The  other  was  a  mere  bridle- 
path which  lost  itself  in  a  dense  wood  a 
few  hundred  feet  awav. 

Along  the  main  road,  perhaps  half  a 
mile  from  the  cross-roads,  a  little  party  of 
eight  or  ten  horsemen,  evidently  belonging 
to  the  British  light  cavalry,  led  by  a  tall, 
distinguished  young  officer,  brilliantly  uni- 
formed and  mounted  on  a  splendid  bay 
horse,  were  escorting  a  richly  dressed  old 
man  and  a  charming  young  woman. 
When  her  blue  riding-cloak  was  blown 
back  by  the  wind  or  lifted  by  the  motion 
of  the  horse,  the  fact  was  disclosed  that  she 

1 66 


And   Love's  Afield 


was  in  bridal  array.  In  spite  of  the  gay 
bodice  with  its  pale  pink  lacings  and  the 
looped  paniers  of  blue  over  the  quilted 
white  satin  petticoat,  short  enough  to  re- 
veal a  ravishing  bit  of  clocked  stocking 
and  tiny  buckled  shoes,  she  looked  any- 
thing rather  than  a  bride  ;  for  the  hopeless 
rebellion  in  her  frowning  face  belied  the 
gayety  of  her  attire. 

The  two  men  behind  the  bluff  were  an 
American  officer  and  a  soldier  wearing  the 
chevrons  of  a  sergeant.  Their  uniforms 
proclaimed  that  they  belonged  to  Wash- 
ington's cavalry.  One,  the  Sergeant,  a 
grim  and  grizzled  veteran,  had  evidently 
been  watching  the  road  from  the  brow  of 
the  cliff,  for  as  he  stood  he  brushed  away 
the  earth  and  twigs  which  had  clung  to 
his  person  as  he  came  sliding  down 
It. 

"  They're  a-comin',  sir,"  he  said  to  the 

other,  who  had  apparently  just  ridden  up. 

167 


When  Blades  are  Out 


"  I  sh'd  jedge  they're  'bout  a  half  a  mile 
from  here." 

"  How  many  are  they  *?" 

"  'Bout  a  dozen  on  'em,  all  told, 
sir. 

"  And  the  old  man  ?    Is  he  with  them  ?" 

"  Yes,  sir.  There's  an  officer  leadin',  an' 
on  his  right  hand  a  young  female,  an'  next 
to  him  an  ole  man  in  plain  close,  an'  then 
some  sojurs.  There's  no  one  in  front  of 
th'  officer  an'  the  young  woman." 

"  You  have  good  eyes,  Sergeant." 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  They  do  not  appear  to  suspect  any- 
thing, then  ?" 

"  Nothin'  at  all,  sir.  They're  all  jist 
a-ridin'  careless  like,  th'  officer  an'  the 
young  lady  an'  th'  ole  man  together,  an' 
t'others  in  a  bunch  some  ways  behind." 

"  That  is  well,"  said  the  officer.  "  Now 
you  know  our  plans.  As  I  said,  I  intend 
to  dash  in  between  the  officer  and  the  lady 

i68 


And   Love's  Afield 


just  as  they  pass  the  cliffs  here.  As  they 
are  riding  along  so  unsuspiciously  I  do  not 
wish  to  kill  the  officer, — and  there  are 
other  reasons  besides, — so  I  shall  shoot  his 
horse.  Then  I  shall  grasp  the  bridle  of 
the  lady's  horse  and  gallop  down  the  cross- 
road. You  will  be  on  my  left  side,  and  I 
depend  upon  you  to  keep  off  the  soldiers 
in  the  rear." 

"  Am  I  to  look  out  fer  the  whole  lot  on 
'em?" 

"  The  w^hole  lot,  of  course  I"  answered 
the  officer,  sharply  ;  "  that's  why  I  brought 
you  with  me,  sir." 

"  Yes,  sir,  I  think  Til  be  ekal  to  it,"  re- 
marked the  Sergeant,  calmly.  "  I  s'pose 
you'll  have  nary  objections  to  my  shootin' 
to  kill?" 

"  None  whatever.  They  are  our  ene- 
mies, and  every  one  less  means  so  much 
gained.       But    you    must    not    shoot    the 

officer." 

169 


When   Blades  are  Out 


"Ain't  th'  officer  our  enemy  too,  sir*?" 

"  Yes,  of  course,  but  I  have  reasons, 
and " 

"  All  right,  sir,  your  orders  goes ;  an' 
arter  we  git  away,  wot  then,  sir  ?" 

"  Then  we  shall  gallop  down  the  path, 
and  you  will  cover  the  escape  of  the  young 
lady.  We  shall  get  a  good  start  of  them, 
and  they  will  be  so  surprised  and  confused 
by  the  suddenness  of  the  attack  that  they 
won't  realize  there  are  only  two  of  us,  and 
I  hope  to  gain  the  shelter  of  the  wood 
before  they  begin  to  pursue.  The  path 
turns  sharply,  I  remember,  and  winds 
around  until  it  comes  to  the  creek.  As 
the  creek  is  too  deep  to  ford  and  the  sides 
too  rocky  to  jump,  the  only  crossing  is  on 
the  bridge." 

"  You  expect  me  to  hold  that  'ere 
bridge  ?" 

"  I  do.     I  must  get  the  young  lady  to 

safety  at  all  hazards,  or  I  would  stay  with 

170 


And   Love's  Afield 


you.     It  is  not  a  duty  I  would  lay  upon 
you,  but — 


?> 


''  I've  volunteered,  sir,"  said  the  Ser- 
geant, bluntly,  "  an'  that's  all  there  is  about 
it.  It's  a  desprit  chance,  but  that's  the 
sort  of  thing  I  like.  I  s'pose  you  have  no 
objections  to  my  shootin'  to  kill  there 
either  ?" 

"  Certainly  not,  as  I  told  you  before. 
If  you  must  shoot,  always  shoot  to 
kill." 

"  'Ceptin',  you  don't  want  me  to  hurt  th' 
officer^" 

"  On  no  account  injure  him.  Informa- 
tion of  this  journey  was  given  me  by  a 
young  lady  in  this  letter,"  said  the  officer, 
taking  a  note  from  his  pocket,  "  and  I 
promised  her,  at  her  request,  through  her 
messenger,  that  no  harm  should  befall 
Colonel  Duane.  I  might  as  well  be  frank 
with   you.  Sergeant  Dade.     You   see,  I — 

I — I  am  in  love  with  this  young  lady " 

171 


When   Blades  are  Out 


"  The  one  that  writ  this  letter  ?"  asked 
this  strange  recipient  of  lovers'  confi- 
dences. 

"  No,  certainly  not !  The  one  that  is  to 
marry  Colonel  Duane !" 

"  Wot's  she  goin'  to  marry  him  fer,  sir, 
w'en  you're  in  love  with  her  ?"  he  asked, 
simply. 

It  did  not  seem  to  enter  the  old  Ser- 
geant's mind  that  any  woman  on  earth 
could  fail  to  love  his  handsome  Captain, 
whom  he  himself  adored. 

"  Well,  it  does  not  follow  that  she  is  in 
love  with  me  on  that  account,"  answered 
Baird,  smiling,  "  although  it  happens  to  be 
true  in  this  instance — at  least  I  think  so. 
The  young  lady  is  forced  into  the  marriage 
with  Colonel  Duane  by  her  father." 

"  An'  w'y  don't  t'other  young  lady  want 
the  Colonel  hurt,  sir  *?" 

"  Because  she   is    in    love   with  him,   I 

think,"  Baird  answered. 

172 


And  Love's  Afield 


"  Wot  does  he  think  about  it  all?" 

"  I  don't  know  and  I  don't  care  I"  said 
Baird ;  "  but  I  have  an  idea  that  he  is  in 
love  with  the  writer  of  the  letter." 

"  An'  goin'  to  marry  t'other  woman ! 
That  beats  all,  sir  !  Howsomever,  I  un- 
derstand, an'  I'm  ready  to  play  my  part  in 
the  game.  Seems  like  I'm  goin'  to  be  a 
sort  of  a  match-maker  'twixt  you  an'  the 
lady,  don't  it"?  Well,  this  yere  lovin' 
business  is  bevond  me.  I  never  was  mixed 
up  in  a  love-affair  afore,  but  you  can  count 
on  me,  sir." 

"  I  know  I  can,"  answ^ered  the  young 
man,  putting  out  his  hand ;  "  that  is  why  I 
selected  you  as  my  companion." 

"  If  anything  happens  to  me  you'll  look 
arter  my  ole  mother,  won't  you  ?"  the  old 
soldier  asked,  as  he  took  his  officer's  hand 
and  shook  it  warmly. 

"  I  w^ill,"  answered  Baird,  solemnly,  "  so 
help  me  God  !    I  feel  like  a  coward  to  bring 

173 


When  Blades  are  Out 


you  here  and  drag  you  into  this  thing. 
It's  awfully  selfish,"  he  continued. 

"  Love  is  alius  selfish,  sir,  they  says  as 
has  it ;  as  fer  me,  I  don't  know  nothin' 
about  it,"  commented  the  Sergeant,  smil- 
ing ;  "  but  don't  you  worry  about  me.  I 
don't  often  git  a  chanst  at  ten  red-coats  all 
in  a  bunch.  Sich  an  opportunity  fer  fight- 
in'  don't  come  any  too  frequent,  sir,  an'  I 
rejoices  at  it." 

"You  are  a  queer  fellow,  Dade,"  said 
Baird,  "  and  if  there  were  more  like  you 
we  would  get  our  freedom  in  short  order. 
Now,  we  would  better  get  ready.  Look 
sharp  at  your  pistols,  and  see  that  your 
sword  hangs  loose  in  its  scabbard  and  that 
your  rifle  is  handy." 

"  My  weepons  is  alius  in  order,  sir,"  re- 
marked the  Sergeant,  as  the  two,  after  a 
brief  examination,  sprang  to  their  saddles. 

"  Jist  one  more  thing,  sir,"  queried  the 
Sergeant.     "  Were  are  you  goin'  to  take 

174 


And   Love's  Afield 


the  young  lady,  if  I  mout  be  so  bold  as  to 
axr 

"  Back  to  Overbrook." 

"  Wot  I  back  to  her  own  father's  planta- 
tion, sir  V 

"  Yes.  I  intend  to  capture  the  place. 
He  is  a  Tory,  you  know,  and  she  will  feel 
more  at  home  there,  and  it  is  the  most  de- 
fensible position  for  miles  around.  I  sent 
a  messenger  to  Colonel  Washington  asking 
him  to  lend  me  a  half-dozen  of  the  troop, 
and  I  told  them  to  meet  me  there.  I  gave 
them  orders,  in  fact,  to  go  in  and  occupy 
the  place,  which  will  probably  be  left  un- 
defended. They  will  find  Miss  Sarah  Bur- 
ton there." 

"  Oh,  the  young  lady  that  writ  the 
note  ?" 

"  Yes.  Of  course.  Colonel  Duane  will 
pursue  us  and  try  to  take  the  place  and  get 
his  bride  back  again,  but  as  he  has  no  artil- 
lery we  ought  to  be  able  to  hold  it  indefi- 

175 


When   Blades  are  Out 


nitely,  at  least  until  General  Greene  comes 
down  with  the  main  army ;  always  pro- 
vided there  are  provisions  enough  in  the 
store-house." 

"  I  see,"  remarked  Sergeant  Dade,  sapi- 
ently,  "an'  so  fer  as  I  git  an  idea  you're 
goin'  to  begin  a  campaign  in  a  small  way." 

"  Stand  a  siege,  rather,"  replied  the  Cap- 
tain, smiling. 

"  An'  I'm  to  git  back  to  you  there  if  I 
git  out  of  the  fight  alive,  am  I  ?" 

"  You  are,"  replied  Baird.  "  Don't  get 
captured  if  you  can  help  it.  They  are 
none  too  particular,  and  might  hang  you." 

"  Trust  me  fer  that,  sir  ;  but  they'd  ought 
to  be  due  now,  an'  I  ventur'  to  suggest, 
sir,  that  we  ride  down  under  that  'ere  clump 
of  trees  clost  by  to  the  rock.  They'll 
have  to  pass  within  three  feet  of  us  there, 
an'  we  can  do  the  job  up  easy." 

"  A  good  suggestion  !"  said  Baird,  mov- 
ing his  horse  over  to  the  designated  point. 

176 


^.. 


..^^ 


12 


«^ 


^oo 


P        rOUNG   LOCHINVAR 

HE  cross-road,  or  trail, 
which  was  not  much  more 
than  a  bridle-path,  dropped 
straight  as  an  arrow  down 
the  hill  for  about  a  hun- 
dred yards  before  it  entered  the  wood,  and 
then  turned  sharply  to  the  right.  Baird 
counted  upon  gaining  the  shelter  of  the 
trees  before  the  pursuit  began,  and  then 
he  trusted  to  the  efforts  of  the  Sergeant  to 
delay  the  Englishmen  and  to  the  speed  of 
their  horses,  hoping  that  Isabel  would  be 


Z2 


177 


When   Blades  are  Out 


well  mounted,  as  was  likely,  to  enable 
them  to  get  away.  They  had  but  a  few 
moments  to  wait  before  they  heard  the 
trampling  of  the  horses  on  the  hard 
road. 

A  last  glance  at  the  pistol  which  each 
man  carried  in  his  right  hand,  a  gathering 
up  of  the  reins,  a  tighter  grip  of  the  knees, 
a  firmer  seat  in  the  saddle,  a  word  to  the 
horses — and  Colonel  Duane,  with  Isabel 
Burton  riding  at  his  left  side  and  slightly  in 
his  rear,  came  around  the  cliff.  The  Colo- 
nel looked  very  unlike  a  bridegroom  on 
the  way  to  his  wedding.  A  deep  frown 
marked  his  handsome  face,  and  he  gazed 
moodily  forward,  inclining  his  glance 
neither  to  the  right  nor  to  the  left.  Isa- 
bel, pale  and  listless,  followed  along  as  a 
slave  might  in  the  train  of  a  master.  The 
Judge,  riding  next  them,  alone  endeavored 
to  assume  the  cheerfulness  naturally  at- 
tendant upon  the  circumstances. 

178 


And  Love's  Afield 


Duane  had  scarcely  drawn  past  the  cliffs 
when  the  waiting  horsemen  were  upon  him. 
There  was  a  flash  and  a  report  fi-om  Baird's 
pistol,  and  the  handsome  bay  horse  Sir  Fran- 
cis was  riding  sprang  forward,  staggered,  and 
fell,  throwing  his  rider  heavily.  The  Amer- 
ican was  on  the  party  like  the  wind. 

"  Isabel !"  he  cried,  in  answer  to  her 
scream  of  terror,  at  the  same  time  seizing 
the  bridle-rein  of  her  horse  and  turning  his 
head  violently  down  the  path.  "  Hold  fast 
and  ride  hard !"  he  shouted,  as  both  horses 
broke  into  a  rapid  gallop  which  soon  be- 
came a  wild  run. 

Meanwhile,  Sergeant  Dade  had  not  been 
idle.  Riding  a  heavy,  powerful  troop- 
horse,  he  sprang  forward  and  dashed  into 
the  Judge,  whose  horse  reared,  threw  the 
Jurist,  and  then  bolted  down  the  road. 
The  first  man  of  the  escort  was  shot  dead, 
point-blank,  by  the  Sergeant  ;  smashing  the 

face  of  another  with  the  butt  of  his  empty 

179 


When   Blades  are  Out 


pistol,  he  shouted  at  the  same  time,  "  Come 
on  men  I"  as  if  leading  an  army,  thereby 
throwing  the  whole  band  into  consterna- 
tion. In  their  confusion  they  fell  back  in 
a  huddle  in  the  road.  Before  they  realized 
that  there  were  but  two  men  party  to  the 
bold  attack,  Dade  tore  down  the  path  after 
the  two,  who  were  already  entering  the 
wood. 

Sir  Francis  scrambled  to  his  feet  in- 
stantly. Disregarding  the  Judge's  furious 
comments,  he  bade  the  nearest  trooper  dis- 
mount from  his  horse  and  look  after  his 
fallen  comrade,  and,  calling  upon  the 
others  to  follow,  galloped  recklessly  down 
the  road  after  the  fleeing  trio,  who,  having 
gained  a  long  start,  had  already  disap- 
peared. 

"  Oh,  what  mean  you  ?     What  is  it  you 

would  do'?"  cried  Isabel,  in  astonishment 

and  terror,  as  her  horse  raced  gallantly  on 

by  the  side  of  Baird's  galloping  steed,  after 

1 80 


And   Love's  Afield 


they  had  reached  the  cover  of  the  forest 
and  were  screened  from  their  pursuers  by 
the  winding  of  the  path. 

"  Prevent  your  marriage  I"  he  cried,  ex- 
ultingly.  "  Take  you  by  force !  Break 
your  vows  upon  compulsion  I  Marry  you 
myself,  and  have  you  for  my  own — my 
own  I" 


"  And  I  am  your- 


?> 


"  My  prisoner,"  he  answered,  boldly, 
"  and  I  am  yours.  Oh,  Isabel,  the  happi- 
ness of  this  moment  I" 

A  flush  of  excitement  had  succeeded 
the  pallor  in  her  cheeks.  No  longer  list- 
less in  the  saddle,  she  sat  her  horse  with 
the  grace  and  ease  of  the  accomplished 
horsewoman.  Her  eyes  sparkled  with 
hope,  relief,  and  love.  The  rapid  motion 
filled  her  with  elation.  As  they  galloped 
along  she  shot  a  furtive  look  of  burning 
affection  toward  her  bold  and  handsome 
lover.     He  had  saved  her — he  was  taking 

i8i 


When   Blades  are  Out 


her  away  I  Joy  I  She  would  be  free  of 
all  bondage  except  that  of  her  heart. 

"  You  may  take  your  hand  from  the 
bridle,  Captain  Baird,"  she  said  at  last, 
breaking  the  silence,  while  skimming  over 
the  ground  on  her  horse  like  a  swallow. 
She  flashed  a  brilliant  smile  at  him  as 
she  spoke. 

"  Isabel  I"  he  cried,  in  alarm,  "  you  would 
not  return'?  You  do  not  blame  me  for 
what  I  have  done'?  I  heard  that  to-day 
was  set  for  your  wedding ;  that  you  were 
to  pass  by  on  the  road  to  the  church ;  that 
there  would  be  but  few  in  your  escort.  I 
swore,  you  remember,  that  I  would  take 
you  from  him  even  at  the  foot  of  the  altar. 
You  cannot  blame  me,  Isabel  I  You, 
yourself,  are  my  excuse  !" 

"  Have  I  blamed  you  yet,  sir  ?"  asked 
Isabel,  demurely. 

Her    cloak    had    fallen    away,  and    she 

looked  like  a  pink-and-white  flower  blown 

182 


i  .Iw'X'>*.v^«*»|?. 


m 


And   Love's  Afield 


along  by  a  driving  wind.  The  tree-trunks 
raced  past  them  as  they  rode  on  in  this 
strange  love-making. 

"  Why  command  me  to  release  the 
bridle,  then  ^" 

"Of  what  avail  is  that,  sir'?  You — 
you  hold  me  by  a  stronger  tie  than  leather 
and  steel." 

"  Oh,  Isabel !"  he  cried,  checking  his 
horse  and  hers  at  the  same  time,  reckless 
of  the  pursuit ;  ''  do  you  indeed  care  ?" 

The  two  horses  sank  into  a  walk. 

"Care!"  she  murmured;  "I  am  your 
prisoner." 

"  Prisoner  of  my  arm  ?"  he  queried, 
bending  toward  her,  his  soul  in  his  eyes. 

"  The  prisoner  of  your  heart,"  she  whis- 
pered. 

The  horses  stopped.  It  was  deadly  still 
in  the  quiet  wood.  The  pursuit  seemed 
far  away.  They  were  alone.  His  arm 
stole    around   her  waist.     All   unresisting, 

183 


When   Blades  are  Out 


her  lovely  head  fell  on  his  shoulder.  For 
the  first  time  in  his  life  he  kissed  her.  All 
his  soul  went  forth  to  meet  her  perfect 
lips. 

"  Oh,  Curtis  I"  she  said,  trembling,  aban- 
doning herself  to  his  passionate  caress, 
"  thank  God,  you  have  saved  me  I" 

"  And  you  are  mine  ?"  he  whispered. 

"  Yes  I   Yes  I    Forever  !"  she  murmured. 

Silence  I 

Far  back  in  the  road  behind  them  a 
pistol-shot  rang  out. 

"  We  lose  time,"  she  said,  on  the  instant 
awake  to  their  danger,  a  note  of  terrified 
apprehension  in  her  voice.  "  We  are  pur- 
sued !    We  shall  be  overtaken — captured  !" 

"  Forward,  then  !"  answered  Baird,  joy- 
ously, starting  the  horses  once  more. 

"  How   imprudent  of  you,"  she    cried, 

urging  her  horse  forward,  "  to  have  stopped 

for  this,  and  risked  all  you  have  gained  I" 

"  It  was  fooHsh,"  he  called  to  her,  "  but 

184 


And   Love's  Afield 


I  couldn't  help  it.  I'm  not  sorry.  They 
can't  catch  us.     Let  us  on." 

"  That  pistol-shot?  Were  you  alone?" 
she  asked. 

"  No ;  one  of  my  men  was  with  me. 
'Tis  he  covering  our  retreat." 

"  A  brave  fellow  I  And  can  you  trust 
him?" 

"  To  the  death." 

"  And  where  do  vou  take  me  ?" 

"Back  to  Overbrook." 

"  To  my  own  home,  Captain  Baird  ?" 
she  exclaimed,  in  surprise. 

"  Yes,  there.  Your  father  is  a  Tory ; 
he  is  for  the  King.  We  take  the  place, 
we  hold  it.  I  hold  you  as  well.  Sir 
Francis  besieges  it,  we  hold  it  until  we  are 
relieved." 

"  Father  will  be  furious,"  she  responded, 
dubiously. 

"  No  doubt ;  he  is  probably  furious  now," 

remarked  Baird,  lightly.     "  And  this  last  is 

185 


When   Blades  are  Out 


but  an  added  detail.     At  any  rate,  I  prom- 
ised Miss  Sarah " 

^'  Sarah  I"  cried  Isabel.  "  What  has  she 
to  do  with  it?" 

"  She  gave  me  the  information." 
"  The  little  traitor  !"  she  exclaimed,  in- 
consequently. 

"  Traitor !     Are  you  not  glad  V 

"  Yes,  yes,  of  course.     But  why  did  she 

doitr 

"  I  think  I  know,"  answered  Baird,  smil- 
ing. 

"  Why,  then  V 

"  She  loves  Duane." 

"Oh,"  exclaimed  Isabel,  "that  would 
explain  it !  Why  in  Heaven's  name  does 
she  not  marry  him,  then  V 

"Because  he  hasn't  asked  her,  I  sup- 
pose," answered  the  Captain. 

"  And  why  didn't  he  ask  her,  I  wonder  ? 
— he  never  loved  me." 

"  Isabel,  it  is  not  possible  for  any  one  to 

i86 


And   Love's  Afield 


see  you  and  not  love  you,"  he  replied,  fatu- 
ously.    "  I  am  sure  he  adores  you." 

"  If  that  were  true  it  would  be  a  poor 
lookout  for  you,  sir.  It  was  my  father's 
property  he  wanted." 

"  If  that  be  so,"  said  Baird,  ''  let  us 
give  it  to  Sarah.  I  have  enough  and  to 
spare.  I  have  taken  you  just  as  you 
are. 

"  What  makes  you  think  she  cares  for 
him  V  she  asked,  curiously.  "  I  can't 
believe  it." 

"  From  her  letter,  in  which  she  made  me 
promise  not  to  harm  him.  I  have  it  here," 
he  answered,  searching  his  pocket.  "  No, 
I  must  have  dropped  it.  But  no  matter. 
She  bade  me  bring  you  there,  and  she  said 
she  would  have  the  rector  of  the  parish 
there,  so  that  we " 


"  Oh,  Curtis,  I  could  not !"  she  exclaimed, 

blushing  happily. 

"  You  must !"  he  replied,  with  military 

187 


When   Blades  are   Out 


decision,  and  then  another  shot  rang  out 
and  still  another. 

"  He  is  there  yet,"  said  Baird  ;  "  but  those 
shots  were  nearer.  We  must  go  faster. 
Put  your  spur  into  your  horse." 

"  My  horse  is  not  as  good  an  animal  as 
yours ;  he  is  doing  his  best  now,"  she  said, 
nevertheless  inciting  it  to  further  effort. 
Presently  the  bridge  came  into  view. 
They  galloped  over  it  and  turned  toward 
the  right.  The  two  weary  horses  swept 
rapidly  down  the  open  road. 

"  It  is  but  a  short  run  to  Overbrook,"  he 
cried.  "  Dade  will  hold  them  in  play  at 
the  bridge." 

Back  in  the  woods,  riding  furiously  with 
the  skill  of  an  accomplished  horseman, 
Duane,  far  ahead  of  his  troopers,  gradually 
overhauled  the  flying  Sergeant.  Drawing 
his  pistol  and  looking  back  over  his  shoul- 
der, the  Sergeant  marked  how  recklessly  he 
came  on  and  how  fair  a  mark  he  presented. 


i88 


And  Love's  Afield 


Murder  was  in  the  soldier's  heart,  and  he 
could  have  killed  the  Englishman  cheer- 
fully, but  the  habit  of  obedience  prevailed, 
and  suddenly  reining  in  his  horse,  he 
wheeled  abruptly,  took  quick  aim,  and  shot 
the  Colonel's  horse.  In  another  second 
the  American  was  away  again.  But  the 
slight  delay  had  enabled  the  soldiers  to 
close  with  their  officer.  Seizing  unerringly 
the  best  horse  from  the  remaining  troopers, 
Sir  Francis  sprang  upon  him  and  once  more 
headed  the  pursuit.  At  the  Colonel's  com- 
mand the  soldiers  opened  fire  upon  the 
Sergeant  wherever  the  winding  road  gave 
them  a  glimpse  of  him.  The  view-halloo 
and  the  crackling  of  arms  resounded 
through  the  woods  as  they  swept  on. 
Presently  the  Sergeant  came  to  the  creek. 
The  road  was  straight  here,  and  just  as  he 
entered  upon  the  narrow  bridge  a  shot  from 
one  of  the  soldiers  dropped  his  horse.    He 

leaped  from  it  as  it  fell,  snatched  his  rifle 

189 


When   Blades  are  Out 


from  his  back,  dropped  on  his  face  behind 
the  dead  horse,  and  took  careful  aim.  He 
would  not  waste  a  shot  on  a  horse  again. 

Sir  Francis  Duane  was  leading  the  pur- 
suit, as  before.  Dade  could  have  easily 
killed  him,  but  again,  with  the  instinct  of 
obedience  strong  upon  him,  he  aimed  at 
the  second  horseman,  the  rifle  cracked,  and 
the  man  fell.  To  spring  to  his  feet  and 
whip  out  his  sword  was  the  work  of  a 
moment  for  the  Sergeant.  The  pieces  of 
the  British  had  been  discharged  and  they 
had  no  time  to  reload  them.  There  was 
no  firing,  therefore,  and  the  six  men  left 
swooped  down  upon  him  like  a  storm. 
Sir  Francis  thrust  his  sword  through  the 
Sergeant's  arm,  his  horse  struck  him  in  the 
body  and  hurled  him  violently  over  the 
bridge  into  the  creek.  They  thundered 
across  the  bridge  and  the  way  was  open. 


190 


S    the    pursuers    left    the 

bridge,      far      down      the 

straight,    open    road    they 

?(^  saw    the    fugitives.      One 

horse,  apparently,  had  been 

abandoned  by  the  roadside.     The  man  and 

woman  were  both  mounted   upon  Baird's 

big  black.     The  abandoned  animal,  as  it 

cropped    the    grass    with    drooping   head, 

limped  painfully. 

"  Her  horse  has  gone  lame,  men,"  cried 

Duane,     triumphantly,    "  and     the     other 

191 


When  Blades  are  Out 


horse  is  carrying  double.     We  have  them 
now  I" 

His  face  was  aflame  with  the  passion  of 
the  hunt,  for  of  all  the  games  in  which 
men  exult,  nothing  so  gripes  the  heart  and 
soul  as  a  man-hunt — a  love-chase  is  not  to 
be  compared  with  it,  for  that  is  only  a 
woman-hunt.  It  is  difficult  to  say  whether 
Duane's  desire  was  so  much  for  Isabel  as  it 
was  for  the  man  who  so  boldly  interposed 
between  him  and  his  bride.  It  was  Baird 
he  wanted,  for  he  had  surmised  who  the 
interloper  was,  and  he  wanted  to  kill  him. 
It  was  now  the  instinct  of  fight  rather  than 
that  of  love  that  bubbled  and  seethed  in 
his  breast ;  and  the  wild,  hot-blooded  desire 
to  kill,  to  bring  down  the  quarry  at  all 
hazards,  filled  his  soul.  The  wild  gallop, 
the  mad  chase,  had  brought  the  original 
man  to  the  surface,  and  he  rode  a  danger- 
ous and  reckless  horseman. 

Each   leap    of  the    horse    brought    him 

192 


And   Love's   Afield 


nearer  to  his  great  desire.  The  landscape 
swept  by  him  with  the  speed  of  the  flying 
wind.  His  breath  came  harder,  his  face 
burned  as  he  leaned  forward  over  the  sad- 
dle and  swept  on.  His  horse  was  heaving 
and  panting,  his  eyes  were  rolling  with  ex- 
citement, his  distended  nostrils  looked  like 
pits  of  blood,  under  the  tremendous  force 
with  which  he  was  driven  forward.  Never 
had  he  been  so  ridden  before.  The  deter- 
mination of  the  man  had  been  communi- 
cated to  the  beast,  and  though  he  was  but 
a  common  troop-horse,  it  was  certain  he 
would  gallop  on  until  he  died.  By  some 
paradox  the  mighty  grip  of  his  rider's  knees 
fairly  seemed  to  lift  him  into  the  air  as  he 
raced  forward,  drawing  ever  nearer  the  fly- 
ing pair  of  lovers.  It  was  noble  horse- 
manship. 

Meanwhile,  the  two  ahead  were  galloping 
for  dear  life  down  the  road.     As  Duane 
had  surmised,  about  half  a  mile  from  the 
13  193 


When  Blades  are   Out 


bridge  Isabel's  horse  had  gone  lame.  There 
was  no  alternative,  and  Baird  had  Hfted  her 
to  the  saddle  in  front  of  him.  He  held 
her  slight  form  tightly  against  his  own 
with  one  powerful  arm  thrown  around  her 
slender  waist.  Her  glorious  hair,  loosed 
from  its  fastenings  by  the  rapid  motion, 
streamed  backward  over  his  shoulder  Hke  a 
golden  flag.  At  his  entreaty  she  slipped 
her  arm  around  his  neck  and  clung  tightly 
to  him  as  they  swayed  together  with  the 
rise  and  fall  of  the  horse.  Erebus, — so 
Baird  had  named  him, — a  splendid  Virginia 
thoroughbred,  responded  gamely  to  the 
double  burden  by  renewed  effort.  With 
scarcely  a  diminution  in  his  gait  the  great 
stallion  swept  on,  in  spite  of  the  heart- 
breaking tax  upon  his  powers. 

"  On,  Erebus,  on  !"  cried  Baird,  brokenly ; 
then,  addressing  Isabel  and  the  horse  alter- 
nately, "  'Tis  heavenly  so  to  hold  you  I — 

Keep  it  up,  old  friend  I — With  you  before 

194 


And   Love's  Afield 


me  I  could  ride  forever  ! — Well  done,  you 
black  rascal ! — To  feel  your  arms  about  me 
thus. — Oh,  don't  fail  us  now,  Erebus  I — I 
love  you. — Will  you  be  beaten  by  a  com- 
mon troop-horse  ? — Hold  tight,  my  dearest. 
—On,  on  I" 

"  They  gain  upon  us  !•"  cried  Isabel, 
looking  back  over  his  shoulder. 

"  Who  leads  ?"  asked  Baird,  urging 
Erebus  forward  again. 

"  Sir  Francis." 

"And  the  rest*?" 

"  Some  distance  behind,  but  coming  on." 

"  The  hill  is  before  us,"  cried  Baird. 
"  If  Erebus  can  stand  this  fearful  pace  for 
five  minutes  longer  we  shall  be  safe." 

He  called  again  and  again  to  the  horse, 
who  responded  with  all  the  breeding  of  his 
hundred  noble  sires.  The  effort  he  was 
making  was  tremendous.  The  animal's 
heart  beat  as  if  it  would  burst,  but  he  never 
faltered  in  his  steady  stride.     He  was  as 

195 


When   Blades  are  Out 


game  as  his  master  as  he  ran  along  the 
road,  panting,  foam-flecked,  dying  ! 

"  Sir  Francis  has  drawn  his  pistol !"  cried 
Isabel. 

"  Don't  look  I"  cried  Baird,  in  alarm. 
"  Put  your  head  in  front  of  me  !" 

But  Isabel  refused  to  obey. 

"  He  is  pointing  it  at  us  !"  she  exclaimed, 
a  note  of  terror  in  her  voice. 

"  He  won't  dare  fire  at  us  I  There  is  no 
danger  to  you,  I  think,"  said  Baird,  reas- 
suringly ;  "  he  will  aim  at  the  horse. — On, 
Erebus  !  on,  old  boy  I — A  few  moments, 
and  we  are  safe  !  There  is  the  hill,  and, 
thank  God  I  the  stars  and  stripes  are  flying 
over  the  house !  My  men  are  in  posses- 
sion I — Erebus,  for  God's  sake,  old  horse, 
another  effort  I"  He  shook  the  reins  out 
over  the  black  stallion's  neck  with  his  free 
hand,  leaned  forward  as  best  he  could, 
patted  him,  called  to  him,  prayed  to  him, 

put  the  spur  into  him  at  last  until  blood 

196 


And  Love's  Afield 


mingled  with  the  sweat  on  his  flanks. 
And  the  horse,  with  human  intelHgence 
and  more  than  human  will,  shook  his  head 
upward  and  responded  with  all  his  blood 
and  soul. 

"  He  fires  I  he  fires  I"  cried  Isabel,  as  the 
crack  of  a  pistol  showed  that  Sir  Francis 
had  taken  a  desperate  chance  and  fired  at 
the  horse. 

But  Duane's  steed  was  beginning  to  fail. 
He  had  no  blood  behind  him.  The  com- 
mon trooper  had  galloped  along  like  the 
thoroughbred,  but  he  was  done  for  now. 
He  was  reeling  and  wavering  in  the  road 
like  a  drunken  man.  Only  Sir  Francis' 
indomitable  will  had  held  him  up  so  far. 
Fortunately,  as  Sir  Francis  fired  Erebus 
swerved  slightly,  and  the  bullet  only  grazed 
his  flank.  He  fairly  bounded  forward,  and 
with  renewed  impetus  began  to  breast  the 
hill.     His  violent  motion  almost  unseated 

the  riders,  but  Baird,  calling  to   Isabel  to 

197 


When  Blades  are  Out 


hold    fast,    recovered    himself    and    clung 
on. 

"  Sir  Francis'  horse  is  down  !"  cried  Isa- 
bel. "  He  runs  along  on  foot  !  He  comes 
as  fast  as  we  I  The  others  are  coming 
up!" 

"  One  more  effort,  old  friend,"  cried 
Baird,  "  and  we  are  in  I" 

As  he  spoke  the  crack  of  a  rifle  rang 
out  from  the  stockade  around  the  old 
house  at  the  top  of  the  hill,  and  then 
another  and  another.  The  British  troopers 
halted  around  their  dismounted  Colonel. 
With  a  last  weary  bound  black  Erebus 
gained  the  entrance  and  stood  panting, 
trembling,  and  exhausted.  They  entered. 
The  gate  was  shut.     They  were  safe  I 

The  little  band  of  Americans  clustered 
about  the  group  and  cheered  wildly.     Set- 
ting Isabel  upon  the  ground,  Baird  leaped 
from  the  saddle.     Isabel  stood  for  a  mo- 
ment, threw  her  arms  around  the  neck  of 

198 


And  Love's  Afield 


the  horse,  and  kissed  his  face,  shrieking, 
hysterically, — 

"  We  are  saved !  We  are  saved  I 
Thank  God,  and  you,  brave  horse  I" 

As  she  released  him  she  fell  back  faint- 
ing into  the  arms  of  Sarah,  who  had  run 
to  the  gate  to  meet  them.  And  the  horse, 
his  duty  done,  with  one  last,  fiery  glance 
at  Baird,  slowly  sank  to  the  ground  before 
them. 

Out  on  the  road  Sir  Francis  Duane  shook 
his  fist  at  the  stockade,  and,  trembling  with 
passion,  cried,  hoarsely, — 

"  I  shall  have  you  yet  I  I  shall  have 
you  yet  I" 


% 


N  compliance  with  Baird's 
request,  Colonel  Wash- 
ington had  despatched  a 
dozen  troopers  under  Cor- 
net Hale,  who  promptly 
seized  upon  Overbrook,  bereft  of  its  de- 
fenders. The  stockade  had  been  com- 
pleted since  the  night  of  General  Greene's 
visit,  and  the  place,  seated  on  the  brow  of 
the  hill  overlooking  the  river,  could  easily 
be  held  against  any  force  unprovided  with 

artillery. 

200 


And  Love's  Afield 


In  fact,  it  was  decidedly  unsafe  for  peo- 
ple to  live  in  undefended  houses  at  that 
period  in  North  Carolina,  for  the  so-called 
neutral  ground  between  the  lines  of  the 
contending  forces  was  swept  by  raiding  par- 
ties from  one  army  or  the  other  and  by 
bands  of  certain  loose  characters  of  the  baser 
sort,  who  took  advantage  of  the  unsettled 
condition  to  prey  upon  their  own  account. 
As  Judge  Burton's  duties  at  that  season  of 
the  year  kept  him  in  that  section  of  the 
country,  he  had  completed  the  fortification. 

Inside  the  stockade  all  was  confusion 
for  the  moment.  Baird  saw  Isabel  faint 
with  all  a  lover's  anxiety  and  alarm.  Sarah 
reassured  him,  however,  and  in  any  event 
it  was  impossible  for  him  to  pay  much  at- 
tention to  her  then. 

Bidding  a  soldier  care  for  his  exhausted 

horse,  who  seemed  to  be  recovering  under 

the    stimulus   of  a   bottle  of  the   Judge's 

oldest  wine,  he  turned  his  gaze  toward  the 

20 1 


When   Blades  are  Out 


road.  Down  in  the  valley  at  the  foot  of 
the  hill  the  little  party  of  British  troopers 
had  halted  around  Sir  Francis  and  his  dead 
horse.  All  told,  they  numbered  six.  It 
would  be  a  brilliant  move  if  Baird  could 
capture  the  party.  He  would  have  bride 
and  bridegroom  both  in  his  possession  then. 
Detailing  four  men  to  hold  the  stock- 
ade, he  summoned  eight  others  and  bade 
them  get  their  horses  and  prepare  to  move 
down  the  hill.  The  British  should  be  an 
easy  prey,  their  horses  being  spent  from 
their  hard  ride,  while  those  of  the  Ameri- 
cans were  fresh,  and  though  they  would 
undoubtedly  put  up  a  stiff  fight  under  Sir 
Francis'  bold  leadership,  the  weight  of 
numbers  would  unfailingly  determine  the 
issue.  The  Americans  were  clamorous  to 
be  allowed  to  make  the  sortie.  In  no  part 
of  the  rebellious  colonies  were  animosities 
so  bitter  and  hatreds  so  great  as  those  that 
had  been  engendered  in  the  Carolinas ;  so 


202 


And  Love's  Afield 


they  sprang  to  their  horses  with  alacrity, 
and,  looking  carefully  to  their  arms,  passed 
through  the  gate  and  trotted  down  the 
hill. 

As  soon  as  they  became  aware  of  the 
movements  of  the  Americans  the  British 
moved  over  and  took  position  behind  a 
road-side  fence.  They  were  evidently  pre- 
paring for  a  desperate  struggle  ;  but  before 
Baird's  little  party  had  reached  the  foot  of 
the  hill,  the  front  rank  of  a  large  party  of 
horseman  came  out  from  the  cover  of  the 
trees  on  the  road  which  led  across  the 
bridge.  There  was  nothing  left  for  the 
disappointed  Americans  but  to  beat  a 
hasty  retreat  to  the  stockade. 

The  approaching  troops  proved  to  be 
the  balance  of  Sir  Francis'  roving  com- 
mand of  horse,  numbering,  all  told,  per- 
haps a  hundred  men.  Sir  Francis  had 
ridden   on    ahead    of  them    that    morning 

to  celebrate  his  wedding,  and  had  directed 

203 


When   Blades  are  Out 


them  to  meet  him  in  the  evening  at  Over- 
brook.  Their  fortunate  arrival  undoubtedly 
saved  him  from  capture.  As  he  was  pre- 
paring, shortly  after  his  wedding,  to  start 
upon  an  extended  raid, — something  in  the 
nature  of  a  small  campaign,  in  fact, — the 
troopers  were  accompanied  by  baggage- 
wagons  with  tents  and  provisions.  As 
luck  would  have  it,  however,  thev  did  not 
have  a  single  piece  of  artillery.  The  men, 
as  they  came  up,  were  at  once  disposed 
about  the  foot  of  the  hill  out  of  musket- 
range,  and  Sir  Francis  proceeded  to  invest 
the  place. 

The  stockade  was  composed  of  the 
trunks  of  trees  placed  close  together  and 
standing  about  ten  feet  above  the  earth. 
It  enclosed  perhaps  an  acre  of  ground  on 
the  very  top  of  the  hill.  Inside  the  pali- 
sade the  earth  had  been  heaped  up  against 
the  tree-trunks,  forming  a  banquette  suf- 
ficiently high  to  enable  a  soldier  to  cover 

204 


And   Love's  Afield 


the  slope  with  his  musket  through  the  in- 
terspaces which  had  been  cut  in  the  logs. 
On  the  outside,  toward  the  road,  there  was 
a  shallow  ditch,  which  made  it  more  diffi- 
cult to  attack  it. 

To  defend  this  place  Baird  had  a  young 
cornet  of  dragoons,  twelve  troopers,  two 
women,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Forsyth,  the  rec- 
tor of  the  nearest  parish  church,  and  ten 
slaves,  household  servants,  of  whom  six 
were  women.  There  was  a  deep  well 
within  the  enclosure,  so  that  plenty  of  water 
was  available,  but,  unfortunately,  scarcely 
one  week's  provision  for  man  or  beast. 
Weapons,  in  addition  to  those  carried  by 
the  troopers,  there  were  in  plenty,  with 
ammunition  as  well.  The  position  was 
practically  unassailable  on  those  sides  which 
were  protected  by  the  deep  bluffs  over- 
hanging the  river. 

Baird  felt  confident  of  holding  the  place 

indefinitely  unless  starved  out.     If  he  did 

205 


When   Blades  are  Out 


not  report  to  Colonel  Washington  with 
the  troopers  in  a  few  days,  it  was  possible 
that  search  would  be  made  for  him,  and 
that  he  might  be  rescued.  So  he  hoped. 
On  the  other  hand,  he  could  not  disguise 
the  fact  that  Washington  might  be  de- 
spatched for  hundreds  of  miles  on  some 
raid,  and  his  absence  would  remain  un- 
noticed for  weeks.  The  future,  therefore, 
was  problematical.  The  duty  of  the  pres- 
ent was  plain.  He  must  hold  the  place 
at  all  hazards  and  wait  his  adversary's 
move.  Indeed,  he  was  too  weak  to  do 
anything  more  than  that. 

He  did  not  have  long  to  wait.  Having 
properly  disposed  of  his  troopers,  the 
wildly  impatient  Duane,  ignorant  of  the 
force  of  the  besiegers  and  desiring  to  test 
their  strength  and  resolution,  imprudently 
ordered  an  immediate  attack.  He  had 
scarcely  recovered  his  equanimity,  and  in 

the    indignation    and    passion    which    had 

206 


And   Love's  Afield 


been  engendered  by  the  bold  onset  and 
the  bitter  pursuit  he  was  hardly  master  of 
himself,  else  he  would  not  have  made  so 
foolish  an  attempt. 

The  attack  was  skilfully  and  gallantly 
made.  The  men  crawled  up  the  little  hill 
until  within  striking  distance,  and  then  rose 
and  made  a  rush  for  the  stockade.  They 
were  met  by  a  slow  and  careful  fire  from  the 
Americans,  and  though  the  British  reached 
the  wooden  wall  they  could  neither  sur- 
mount it  nor  tear  it  down,  and  they  were 
forced  to  retreat,  leaving  a  half  dozen  dead 
men  on  the  grassy  slopes.  Chafing  at  this 
further  repulse.  Sir  Francis  at  last  realized 
that  he,  too,  could  do  nothing  for  the  pres- 
ent but  wait.  Posting  his  sentries,  there- 
fore, he  ordered  the  tents  pitched  and  a 
regular  encampment  to  be  constructed. 

On    the    inside   of  the    stockade    Baird 

divided   his   little   band   into    two    parties, 

putting  one   under  the    command   of  the 

207 


When   Blades  are  Out 


Cornet  and  taking  charge  of  the  other 
himself.  The  two  parties  were  to  stand 
guard  after  the  manner  of  a  ship's  crew, 
watch  and  watch.  Appointing  the  Cornet's 
party  to  the  first  tour  of  duty,  and  in- 
structing them  to  keep  careful  guard,  Baird 
withdrew  to  the  house. 


SSISTED  by  some  of  the 

negro  slaves,  who  came  at 

her  call,  Sarah  had  carried 

Isabel  within-doors,  where 

the    application   of  a   few 

simple    restoratives    soon    brought    her  to 

consciousness,  if  not  to   calmness,  again. 

When   the    two    girls  were    alone,   Isabel 

threw  herself  into  the  arms  of  her  cousin. 

"  Oh,    Sarah  I"    she    cried,    hysterically, 

"  how  could  you  do  such  a  thing  ?     I  am 

so  happy  I     It  was  shocking  ! — shocking  ! 
14  209 


When   Blades  are  Out 


I  shall  never  forgive  you  !  Isn't  he  mag- 
nificent !  He  seized  me  in  his  arms  when 
my  horse  went  lame,  and — and — actually 
carried  me  through  the  air  I  I  never  was 
so  miserable  in  my  life  !  What  will  father 
say  *?  And  oh,  he  loves  me  so  I  I — I 
never  dreamed  of  such  a  thing  !  Why,  he 
stopped  in  the  middle  of  the  pursuit  to — 
to — Sarah,  how  unmaidenly  of  you  to 
write  that  letter ;  as  if  I  wanted,  or  I — 
didn't  want " 

"  Well,  did  you  or  did  you  not?"  asked 
Sarah,  smiling. 

"  Did  I,  or  didn't  I  what  V 

"  Did  you  want  to  marry  Sir  Fran- 
cis? Didn't  you  want  to  marry  Curtis 
Baird?" 

"  I  didn't  want  to  marry  anybody !" 
cried  Isabel,  fitfully.  ''  I — I — never  was 
so  treated  in  my  life !  He  says  that  I 
started  out  to  get  married  to-day,  and — 
and — there  is  going  to  be  a  wedding  any- 

2IO 


And   Love's  Afield 


way  I  He  said  there  was  a  clergyman 
here  and " 

"  There  is,"  said  Sarah  :  "  Dr.  Forsyth  is 
here.     I  sent  for  him." 

"  You  !  Oh,  Sarah,  how  could  you  !  I 
can't  do  it  I  I — I — haven't  any  clothes," 
she  went  on,  inconsequently. 

"  Clothes !  Why,  you  are  wearing  a 
wedding-dress  now,  and — 


)j 


"  Oh,  Sarah,  'tis  so  rumpled " 

"  Your  wardrobe  is  full  of  clothes. 
That's  why  I  told  him  to  bring  you  back 
here.  You  have  to  do  it,  Isabel  I"  said 
her  cousin,  decisively.  "  I  am  afraid  Sir 
Francis  is  bound  to  capture  this  place,  and 
then,  unless  you  are  married,  you  are  lost  I" 

"  Oh,  Sarah,  I  cannot !" 

"  Then  you  might  as  well  make  up  your 
mind  to  become  Lady  Duane,"  returned 
Sarah,  coldly. 

"  I  can't  do  that  either  I  What  shall  I 
do?" 

211 


When   Blades  are  Out 


"  Marry  Curtis  Baird  I"  responded  Sarah, 
promptly.  "  If  the  man  I  love  had  car- 
ried me  off  and  taken  me  prisoner  and 
wanted  to  marry  me,  I — I'd  do  it  at  once  !" 

"  Then  you  do  love  some  one,  Sarah  ? 
Oh,  you  dear  I     Tell  me  who  it  is  V 

"  I  love  no  one,  Isabel." 

"  What  did  you  do  all  this  for,  then  ? 
Was  it  for  my  happiness  alone  ?" 

"  No — no — not  exactly,"  answered  Sarah, 
reluctantly. 

"  For  whom,  then  ?" 

"  For  Sir  Francis  Duane." 

"  Oh  I"  exclaimed  Isabel,  with  a  touch 
of  hauteur ;  "  you  think  he  would  not  be 
happy  with  me,  then  *?" 

"  Not  if  you  did  not  love  him,  Isabel," 
answered  Sarah,  bravely  ;  "  but — but — 

"  But  what  r 


>> 


"Nothing.  Don't  let's  talk  about  Sir 
Francis,  he  is  out  of  it  now.  Let's  talk 
of  your  wedding." 


212 


And   Love's  Afield 


"Dr.  Forsyth  won't  marry  me  without 
father's  consent,"  said  Isabel,  weakly,  con- 
ceding the  main  point. 

"  Yes,  he  will.  I  have  arranged  all 
that,"  answered  Sarah,  boldly.  "  You  are 
of  age.  Dr.  Forsyth  is  an  American 
through  and  through,  and  he  would  like 
nothing  better  than  to  marry  you  to  an 
American  officer  like  Captain  Baird.  He 
knows  all  about  it,  and  he  thinks  it  would 
be  a  pity  for  your  father's  property  to  go 
to  an  Englishman.  Besides,  they  are  not 
on  good  terms  since  the  trouble  in  the 
vestry." 

"  Sarah,  why  do  you  wish  me  to  marry 
Curtis  Baird?"  queried  Isabel,  with  rising 
curiosity.  "  You  seem  so  anxious,  that  I 
believe "     She  hesitated. 

"You  believe  what*?"  asked  Sarah, 
keenly  alert. 

"  Oh,  nothing,"  answered  Isabel ;    "  but 

tell  me  your  reasons." 

213 


When   Blades  are   Out 


"  As  I  told  you,  I  wish  to  promote  your 
happiness.  I  see  you  love  him — you  do 
love  him,  don't  you  ?" 

"  Love  him  I"  cried  Isabel,  rapturously. 

"  You  want  to  marry  him,  don't  you  V 

"  Want  to  I  No — I — that  is — yes,  and 
oh,  Sarah,  you  are  a  wretched,  wretched 
traitor,  and  I  ought  to  hate  you,  but  I  love 
you  !" 

"  Miss  Burton — Isabel — dearest  I"  ex- 
claimed a  manly  voice,  as  Baird  entered 
the  room,  having  heard  the  last  words. 
"  Remember  !"  he  interrupted,  audaciously, 
stepping  toward  her,  "you  haven't  much 
love  left  for  Sarah.  You  belong  to  me, 
and  all  that  you  have,"  he  continued,  with 
masculine  and  youthful  selfishness,  "  comes 
to  me — even  in  love  I"  As  he  spoke  he 
slipped  his  arm  around  her  waist  and  bent 
toward  her. 

"  Yes,    yes  !"    she    cried.      "  But — stay  I 

Not  before  Sarah " 

214 


And   Love's  Afield 


"  I  won't  look,"  cried  Sarah,  considerately 
turning  her  head. 

"  I  wouldn't  care  if  the  whole  world 
saw,"  remarked  Baird,  kissing  his  faintly 
protesting  and  weakly  struggling  bride  to 
be.     "  And  you  will  marry  me,  won't  you  ?" 

"  Never !     Never  !" 

"  And  right  now  at  that,"  he  went  on, 
calmly  ignoring  her  protests. 

"  Now  ?  No,  no  I  To-morrow  I"  she 
pleaded.     "  Give  me  more  time  !" 

"  Not  a  minute  I  I  do  not  know  how 
long  I  may  be  able  to  hold  this  place.  Sir 
Francis  is  a  very  determined  man,  and  we 
have  but  a  few  men." 

"  Yes,"  interrupted  Sarah,  deftly,  turning 
around  again  ; ''  and  if  he  gets  you,  Captain 
Baird,  he  will  certainly  hang  you,  won't  he  ?" 

Sarah  actually  winked  at  Baird  behind 
Isabel's  back — an  unheard-of  thing  for  a 
gentlewoman  in  North  Carolina  in  that 
day. 

215 


When  Blades  are  Out 


"  He  will,"  answered  Baird,  promptly. 
"  I  am  sure  of  it.  I  judge  him  by  myself. 
I  would  have  killed  him  a  few  moments  ago 
when  I  had  the  chance  if  it  hadn't  been  for 


your 

"  Kindness  of  heart,"  interrupted  Sarah, 
desperately,  laying  her  hand  on  her  lips  in 
great  apprehension  lest  her  interest  in  Duane 
should  be  betrayed. 

"  Oh,  Sarah !"  cried  Isabel,  in  frantic 
terror,  throwing  her  arms  about  Baird, "  you 
cannot  think  he  would  do  anything  so 
cruel  ?" 

"  Of  course  he  would  !"  answered  Sarah, 
confidently. 

"  Certainly,  certainly !"  asserted  Baird, 
gloomily. 

"  But  if  I — I — were  married  to  you " 

"  He  probably  would  not  want  to  break 
your  heart  by  hanging  me,"  he  continued, 
adroitly. 

"  I  will  marry  you  to-day — this  minute, 

216 


And   Love's  Afield 


Curtis  I"  she  cried,  bewildered.  "  Where  is 
Dr.  Forsyth  ?" 

"  I  will  go  and  fetch  him,"  said  Sarah, 
running  out  of  the  room. 

Left  alone,  with  Isabel  clinging  to  him, 
Baird's  conscience  began  to  trouble  him, 
for  it  seemed  to  him  that  he  was  about  to 
delude  the  girl  into  marrying  him  on  the 
strength  of  a  threatened  danger  to  him 
which  depended,  first,  upon  the  capture 
of  the  place,  which  he  was  sure  was  im- 
possible, and,  secondly,  upon  a  degree  of 
brutality  in  Sir  Francis  Duane's  tempera- 
ment which  he  did  not  believe  existed. 
Therefore  he  felt  constrained,  though  it 
might  lose  him  everything,  to  tell  the 
truth. 

"  Isabel,"  he  said,  nerving  himself  for  a 
reproach  and  a  refusal  perhaps,  "  I  have 
deceived  you,  and — 


5) 


*'  Do  you   mean  you   do  not  love  me, 

Curtis  ?"  she  cried,  in  alarm, — "  that  you 

217 


When   Blades   are  Out 


don't  want  to  marry  me  *?"  she  exclaimed, 
starting  back  from  his  arms. 

"  Nonsense,  dearest  I"  he  added,  reassur- 
ing her  and  drawing  her  to  him  again,  "  but 
I  cannot  take  you  under  false  pretences.  I 
do  not  really  think  that  Duane  will  cap- 
ture the  place,  or  that  he  would  hang  me 
if  he  did.     There  I" 

"  Well,"  she  asked,  "  is  that  all  T 
"  Yes,"  he  answered,  shamefacedly.     "  I 
thought  you  were  going  to  marry  me  be- 
cause you  were  afraid  for  me,  and  I — 


5) 


"  I  marry  you  because  I  love  you,"  she 
answered,  gravely, — "  because  you  are  more 
to  me  than  home,  father,  friends — every- 
thing !  My  master,  my  hero,  my  king !" 
she  added,  softly,  taking  his  hand  and 
raising  it  to  her  lips. 

"  Isabel !  Dearest  I"  he  cried,  in  mingled 
joy  and  contrition,  "  I  am  not  worthy  to 
kiss  the  hem  of  your  gown  even  !" 

"  Here  is  the   priest,  sir  soldier,"  cried 


218 


And  Love's  Afield 


Sarah,  entering  the  room  again,  followed 
by  a  venerable  clergyman  in  gown  and 
bands,  carrying  a  ponderous  prayer-book 
in  his  hands.  "  I  have  brought  Cornet 
Hale  to  give  away  the  bride.  I  shall  be 
maid  of  honor,  so  the  party  is  complete," 
she  continued,  as  they  took  their  places. 

The  short  service  was  soon  over.  As 
they  rose  to  their  feet  after  receiving  the 
good  Rector's  benediction,  Baird  tenderly 
kissed  his  bride. 

"  My  darling  wife,  I  salute  you,"  he  said. 
"  And  now  I  must  leave  you  for  a  moment 
to  look  to  the  defences." 

Sarah  and  Isabel  were  left  in  the  room 
together.  This  time  it  was  the  younger 
who  was  weak.  The  little  woman  broke 
down  and  sobbed  wildly. 

"  Oh,  what  have  I  done  ?  Oh,  what 
have  I  done  *?"  she  cried  ;  "  you  are  mar- 
ried now,  and  it  cannot  be  undone  !" 

"  No,"  said  Isabel,  gravely,  though  with 

219 


When  Blades  are  Out 


white  face  and  trembhng  hps,  "  we  are 
married,  and  it  cannot  be  undone.  Thank 
God !" 

"  And  it  was  I  who  brought  it  about !" 
wailed  Sarah.  "  What  will  Uncle  Burton 
say  ?  He  will  hate  me  forever  I  I  have 
turned  child  against  father,  introduced 
revolution  into  the  household,  broken  up 
my  own  home !" 

"  You  shall  live  with  us,"  said  Isabel, — 
"  always  and  forever  !" 

"  And  the  sight  of  your  happiness  would 
make  me  ill !  I  am  so  little,  so  homely, 
and  so  poor,  and  nobody  wants  me  I"  she 
cried.  "  Why — why — did  I  do  it  ^  And 
it  has  not  brought  Sir  Francis  any  nearer  !" 
she  added,  brokenly. 

With  a  glad  cry,  Isabel  sprang  to  her 

side. 

"  Oh,  is  that  it?"  she  exclaimed,  joyfully, 
taking  her  in  her  arms.  "  Oh,  I  see  it  all 
now  I      Curtis    was    right,    you    mischief- 


220 


And   Love's  Afield 


maker  !  You  arch  plotter  !  And  it  was  Sir 
Francis'  happiness  you  wanted  and  mine  you 
were  serving,  was  it  *?  You  artful  little  de- 
ceiver, why,  I  never  thought  that  you — 


5> 


"  Well,  what  V  inquired  Sarah,  looking 
up  through  her  tears.  "  Am  I  any  happier  ? 
I  have  just  ruined  myself  with  everybody, 
and  if  Sir  Francis  ever  finds  it  out  he 
will — he  will  hate  me  I" 

"  Do  not  worry,  dear.  I  shall  never  tell 
him,  and  I  will  see  that  Curtis  does  not. 
He  shall  never  suspect." 

"  I  am  afraid  he  suspects  now,"  answered 
Sarah.     "  He  knows  that  I " 

"  That  you  what,  dear  V 

"  That  I  love  him,"  whispered  Sarah, 
burying  her  head  on  Isabel's  shoulder — 
"  that's  all.  And  oh,  Isabel,  darling,  I 
never,  never  would  have  done  it  if  you  had 
loved  him,  but  it's — he — I " 

"  He  loves  you,  you  would  say,  Sarah  *?" 
asked  Isabel. 

221 


When   Blades  are  Out 


"  Yes,  I  am  sure  of  it.  He  did,  that  is, 
before  this,  and  now — now — I  have  lost 
him  !" 

She  wept  bitterly,  and  would  not  be 
comforted. 


OWARD  evening  Judge 
Burton,  with  the  soldiers 
who  had  been  left  behind 
at  the  cross-roads  and  be- 
fore the  bridge,  reached 
Duane's  encampment.  The  Judge  had 
plodded  along  wearily  on  his  tired  horse, 
and  he  arrived  in  a  most  unjudicial  frame 
of  mind, — in  fact,  he  was  furiously  angry, 
— and  when  he  had  interviewed  Sir  Francis 
and  discovered  the  condition  of  affairs  his 

temper  was  not  abated. 

223 


When   Blades  are  Out 


"  The  dastardly  impudence  of  the  man  !" 
he  cried.  "  Taking  my  daughter  from  the 
very  arms  of  the  man  to  whom  she  was  to 
be  married  !  On  the  very  day  of  her  wed- 
ding !  And  running  off  with  her  in  that 
way  like  a  moss-trooper,  and  throwing  me, 
his  Majesty's  justice,  me,  sir,  into  the  mud, 
and  ripping  my  best  dress  coat !  By 
Gad,  sir,  what  do  you  mean  by  allowing 
itr 

"Allowing  it?"  answered  Sir  Francis, 
sulkily.  "  By  Heaven,  sir,  I  would  have 
you  know  that  I  did  everything  that  mortal 
man  could  do  to  catch  up  with  them ! 
My  own  horse  and  another  shot  under  me, 
I  rode  a  troop-horse  to  death  in  the  chase. 
But  now  that  I  have  them  here,  they  shall 
never  escape  me  !  I  will  stay  here  till  they 
starve,  but  I  will  get  them  at  last !" 

"  Aye,"  said  the  Judge,  "  they  must  sur- 
render ;  there  is  no  provision  in  the  house 

worth  speaking  of." 

224 


And   Love's  Afield 


"  They  have  their  horses,"  answered  the 
Colonel,  gloomily. 

"  They  won't  last  long.  Fortunately, 
Greene's  army  is  far  from  here,  and  you 
can  take  care  of  any  local  force  that  is 
likely  to  assemble,  so  that  we  shall  hold 
them  safely  to  the  end.  When  we  have 
captured  them,  Isabel  shall  yet — 


)) 


"  Your  pardon,  Mr.  Justice,"  remarked 
Sir  Francis,  sternly,  "  I  have  thought  over 
that  matter  since  the  events  of  the  morn- 
ing, and — with  due  respect  to  you,  sir — I 
believe  that  I  shall  be  compelled  to  decline 
the  honor." 

"  How,  sir !  you  decline  I"  shouted  the 
Judge  ;  "  decline  the  hand  of  my  daugh- 
ter !     How  dare  you  1" 

"  I  was  willing,"  responded  Sir  Francis, 

with  dignity,  "  to   carry   out  the   contract. 

I   trusted   that,  as  I   had   the   respect   and 

esteem,  I   might  eventually  win  the   love 

and  affection  of  your  daughter,  but  I  realize 
15  225 


When   Blades  are  Out 


now  that  it  would  be  a  hopeless  task.  'Tis 
true  that  Captain  Baird  carried  Isabel  off, 
but  it  is  evident  that  she  went  willingly. 
At  the  end  of  the  chase  they  were  on  a 
single  horse,  her  animal  going  lame.  So 
far  as  I  could  see,  she  made  not  the  slight- 
est resistance,  and  you  know  she  never 
loved  me." 

"  Love  I"  exclaimed  the  Judge,  passion- 
ately. "  Only  boys  and  fools  talk  of  love, 
sir.  This  engagement  has  been  publicly 
announced " 

"  If   it   is   publicity   at   which    you    are 

cavilling,  sir,  I  beg  to  inform  you  that  the 

whole  command  about  us  here,  down  to 

the  smallest  trumpeter,  is  perfectly  aware 

that  the  engagement  is  broken.     Besides, 

sir,  from  whom  could  Captain  Baird  have 

received  the  news  of  our  journey,  unless 

from    the  lady  herself?     She    must    have 

betrayed  us." 

"  I    would    stake    my    life    on    Isabel's 

226 


And  Love's  Afield 


honor,"    cried    the    Judge,    resenting   this 
new  attack.     "  She  may  not  love  you — 


?) 


"  She  does  not ;  and  would  a  woman's 
honor  outweigh  her  love  ^"  asked  the  Colo- 
nel. 

"  Zounds,  sir  I     You  insult  me  I" 

"  I  cry  your  pardon,  Mr.  Justice.  I 
mean  no  insult.  It  may  be  as  you  say, 
but  at  least  the  circumstances  are  sus- 
picious." 

"  Beg  pardon,  Sir  Francis,"  said  the 
trooper  who  had  been  left  behind  at  the 
cross-roads,  at  this  moment  coming  up  and 
saluting,  "  here's  a  paper  that  I  picked  up 
at  the  place  where  we  had  the  scrimmage, 
an'  I  thought  maybe  your  Honor'd  like  to 
see  it,  sir." 

Duane  was  too  good  a  soldier  to  neglect 

any  possible  clue,  so,  with  a  further  word 

of  apology  to  the  infuriated  Judge,  he  took 

the  paper  and  opened  it. 

It   was   addressed    to   Curtis    Baird.     A 

227 


When   Blades  are  Out 


glance  put  him  in  possession  of  its  con- 
tents, down  to  the  initials,  "  S.  B.,"  with 
which  it  was  signed.  He  stared  at  it  a 
moment  in  great  surprise,  the  color  flooded 
his  face,  and  he  blushed  as  it  he  had  been 
a  woman. 

"  Good  Gad !"  he  exclaimed,  in  a  happy 
tone  of  voice.  "  To  think  of  it  I  Why, 
she Justice  Burton,"  he  said,  recover- 
ing himself  and  turning  toward  his  com- 
panion with  a  low  bow,  "  I  did  your  daugh- 
ter a  grievous  injustice.  She  is  the  soul  of 
honor,  like  her  father  ;  I  humbly  apologize 
to  her  and  to  you.  But  aside  from  that, 
the  engagement  cannot  go  on.  No,  sir," 
he  continued,  "  I  am  afraid  not.  You 
see," — he  blushed  again  and  laughed  boy- 
ishly,— "  you  see — I — I — I  love  another." 

"  Damnation,  sir !"  cried  the  Judge  ;  "  is 
the  whole  world  love-sick  mad  *?  You  will 
give  up  the  siege,  then  V 

"  No,  sir,"  he  answered  ;  "  I  have  a  deeper 


228 


And  Love's  Afield 


interest  than  ever  in  bringing  it  to  a  suc- 
cessful consummation." 

This  enigma  was  too  much  for  the  old 
man.  He  glowered  at  the  smihng  and 
jubilant  soldier  before  him,  and,  after  re- 
marking that  he  intended  to  go  up  to  the 
house  himself,  he  stalked  out  of  the  tent. 

Left  to  himself.  Sir  Francis  unrolled  the 
little  note.  He  unfolded  it,  gazed  at  it 
long  and  earnestly,  and  finally  pressed  it 
rapturously  to  his  lips,  remarking, — 

"  Oh,  Sarah,  Sarah,  I  have  you  now  I" 
Then,  as  his  glance  fell  upon  the  stockade 
through  the  open  front  of  the  tent,  he 
added,  "  That  is,  I  will  have  you  when  I 
get  you.  And  so,  good-by  to  broad  acres 
and  the  other  girl.  I  owe  that  young 
Baird  a  fortune,  and,  faith,  I  believe  he 
will  get  it." 

Meanwhile,  the  Judge  walked  gloomily 

up  the   hill.     A  rifle-shot   and   the   bullet 

which  ploughed  the  earth  at  his  feet  warned 

229 


When   Blades  are  Out 


him  that  he  was  no  longer  the  owner  of 
the  place.  He  took  a  white  handkerchief 
from  his  pocket  and  waved  it  in  the  air. 
Under  the  sanction  of  this  improvised  flag 
of  truce  he  was  allowed  to  approach  nearer 
the  stockade,  until  he  was  halted  a  few  feet 
away  and  covered  by  the  piece  of  the 
dragoon  on  watch. 

"  What  would  you,  sir  ?"  asked  the 
sentry. 

"  Entrance  to  my  house  I"  thundered 
the  Judge.  "  I  am  the  owner  of  this 
place  I" 

"  No,  sir,"  replied  the  soldier,  "  this  place 
belongs  to  the  United  States  since  this 
morning." 

"  Damn  the  United  States  !" 

"  Say  that  again,  sir,  and  I'll  put  a  bullet 
through  you,  flag  or  no  flag  I"  cried  the 
man,  wrathfully. 

The  Judge  reflected  a  moment. 

"  Call  your  officer,"  he  shouted  back  at 

230 


And  Love's  Afield 


the  sentry.  And  a  few  moments  later  the 
head  of  Curtis  Baird  appeared  over  the 
palisade. 

"  Good  God,  Captain  Baird  I"  shrieked 
the  Judge,  "  this  is  my  place,  and  I  demand 
instant  entrance !  I  require  you  at  the 
same  time  to  relinquish  to  me  the  custody 
of  my  daughter  and  my  niece  !" 

"  Sir,"  answered  Baird,  promptly,  "  you 
are  the  avowed  enemy  of  the  United 
States.  As  an  officer  of  the  government 
I  have  seen  fit  to  take  your  property,  and  I 
shall  continue  in  possession  of  it  for — er — 
military  purposes." 

"  And  did  you  take  my  daughter  for 
the  same  reason,  and  do  you  hold  her  for 
military  purposes'?"  bitterly  remarked  the 
Judge. 

"  I  hold  her,"  answered  Baird,  boldly, 
"  I  hold  her  because  she  is — 


5J 


A  soft  white  hand  was  placed  over  his 
lips,  and    his    wife    whispered    in   his  ear, 

23^ 


When  Blades  are   Out 


"  Do  not  tell  him  yet.  It  would  do  no 
good  and  serve  no  purpose." 

"  Isabel,"  cried  her  father,  as  soon  as  he 
saw  her,  "  leave  this  nest  of  traitors  and 
come  with  me  I" 

"  Father,"  she  answered,  "  I  am  a  pris- 
oner, I  cannot  come." 

"  Captain  Baird  holds  us  with  an  iron 
grasp,  uncle,"  said  Sarah,  whose  head  ap- 
peared by  the  side  of  the  other  two. 

"  Captain  Baird,  I  demand,  as  an  officer 
of  the  King's  law,  as  a  father,  as  a  man, 
that  you  instantly  surrender  the  persons  of 
my  daughter  and  ward  unlawfully  held  by 
you  I" 


"  And  I  decline,  sir,  as  an  officer  of  the 
United  States,"  replied  Baird,  gravely,  "  to 
comply  with  your  request.  Rest  easy,  sir. 
I  will  see  that  your  people  are  well  treated." 

The  Judge,  in  grim   anger,  turned  and 

walked  down  the  hill. 

"  My  regards,"  cried  Sarah  after  him,  "  to 

232 


And  Love's  Afield 


Sir  Francis.  I  am  afraid  that  he  will  never 
enjoy  the  broad  acres  of  the  Burtons  I" 

"  Oh,  Sarah,  how  dreadful  I  And  father 
is  in  such  a  passion,"  said  Isabel.  "  He 
will  never  forgive  us." 

"  Oh,  yes,  he  will,"  answered  Sarah. 
"  You  will  see.  It  will  be  all  right  for  you 
in  the  end,  I  am  sure.     As  for  me — 


>> 


"  It  will  be  all  right  for  you,  too,  dear," 
interrupted  Isabel,  turning  to  her. 

"  I  hope  so,"  replied  Sarah,  who  had  re- 
covered in  some  measure  her  usual  cheerful 
disposition. 

She  lost  her  equanimity  again,  however, 
when  she  discovered,  by  questioning  Baird 
at  the  first  possible  moment,  that  he  had 
lost  her  note.  He  reassured  her  against 
the  remotely  possible  chance  of  its  coming 
into  any  other  person's  possession,  and  con- 
vinced her  at  last  that  it  was  probably  rot- 
ting in  some  hidden  corner  of  the  forest. 
What  would  have  been  her  feelings  had 

233 


When   Blades  are  Out 


she  known  that  at  that  very  moment  her 
famous  missive,  with  its  anxious  command 
that  Sir  Francis  Duane  should  not  be 
harmed  in  any  event,  was  counting  the 
beatings  of  that  very  excited  young  gen- 
tleman's heart"? 


BOOK   V 
\    Jr  LAST   UNITED     J 


IX  weeks  had  elapsed,  six 
weeks  scarcely  less  weary 
for  the  besiegers  than  the 
besieged,  although  the  latter 
were  almost  starved  and  the 
former,  living  off  the  country,  were  well 
fed.  Sir  Francis  Duane  had  clung  to  the 
investment  of  Overbrook  with  English 
tenacity.  During  the  course  of  the  siege 
his  feelings  had  undergone  something  of  a 
change.  The  affront  to  his  pride  in  the 
Sabine   exploit  of  the   American   Captain 

237 


When  Blades  are  Out 


still  rankled,  and  he  was  as  determined  as 
ever  not  to  let  it  go  unpunished,  but  the 
spirit  of  animosity  which  had  been  at  first 
engendered  had  been  gradually  dissipated 
in  his  growing  passion  for  the  mocking 
Sarah. 

While  he  had  striven  to  conceal  his 
emotions,  in  view  of  his  approaching  mar- 
riage to  Isabel,  he  had  scarcely  been  aware 
how  deep  and  intense  had  been  the  affec- 
tion which  her  cousin  had  awakened  in  his 
soul.  Now  he  realized  it  all.  He  had 
taken  the  bit  off  his  heart,  and  it  had  run 
away  from  him.  He  thought  only  of 
Sarah,  and,  in  short,  he  felt  almost  grateful 
to  Baird  for  running  off  with  his  prospective 
bride. 

He  was  not  happy  in  the  siege,  however, 

for  he  knew  that  by  this  time  the  little 

garrison  at  Overbrook  must  be  reduced  to 

the  most  dreadful  straits,  and  the  thought 

that  his  sweetheart  might  be  suffering  the 

238 


And   Love's  Afield 


pangs  of  hunger  after  a  palling  diet  of 
horseflesh  filled  him  with  anxiety  and  un- 
certainty. A  half-dozen  times  he  had  been 
on  the  point  of  writing  a  note  to  Baird, 
and,  sending  it  under  a  flag  of  truce,  offer- 
ing to  withdraw  from  the  siege  if  he  could 
take  Sarah  with  him.  The  fact  that  the 
proposition  would  be  in  effect  a  disposing 
of  the  person  of  that  lady  without  con- 
sulting her,  for  the  purpose  of  ransoming 
Baird,  would,  he  was  entirely  aware,  have 
caused  its  instant  rejection  by  the  Ameri- 
can officer. 

He  was  not  at  all  certain,  either,  of 
Sarah's  feeling  toward  him,  although  he  felt 
that  she  was  not  indifferent  to  him.  The 
way  she  had  received  his  kiss  in  the  hall 
that  night, — he  was  sure  it  had  been  re- 
turned at  first, — the  fact  that  she  had 
sought  him  out  on  the  battle-field,  the 
anxiety  in  her  voice  as  she  had  drawn  his 
hand  to  her  breast  when  she  had  found  him 

239 


When  Blades  are  Out 


wounded,  her  prompt  action  in  striking  up 
Baird's  pistol  and  so  saving  his  life  on  the 
stairs,  and,  most  of  all,  the  note  which  had 
brought  about  the  present  situation  with  its 
significant  clause,  "  I  make  an  express  con- 
dition, and  trust  to  your  honor  to  comply 
with  it,  that  not  a  hair  of  Sir  Francis' 
head  be  touched,"  gave  him  ground  for 
assuming  that  she  was  deeply  interested  in 
him,  at  least.  But  this  was  far  from  war- 
ranting the  presumption  on  his  part  that 
she  loved  him  sufficiently  to  give  up  every- 
thing for  him  ;  so  he  harassed  himself  with 
doubts  and  suspicions. 

He  did  not,  however,  confine  himself 
during  the  siege  merely  to  standing  and 
waiting.  Taking  a  leaf  out  of  the  Amer- 
ican book,  during  the  first  month  of  their 
investment  the  soldiers,  under  his  instruc- 
tion, constructed  a  rude  wooden  tower  of 
logs,  impenetrable  to  rifle-shots,  which  was 

mounted  on  wheels,  and  when   completed 

240 


And  Love's  Afield 


could  be  pushed  near  to  the  stockade, 
which  the  men  on  its  top  would  then  over- 
look and  command.  The  men  had  pro- 
gressed slowly,  and  it  was  not  until  the 
month  had  elapsed  that  the  tower  was 
ready  for  use. 

This  military  contrivance,  as  old  as  the 
art  of  warfare  itself,  had  been  first  put  in 
operation  by  a  South  Carolinian  named 
Alaham  in  some  previous  operations  un- 
dertaken by  Lee  and  Marion  against  the 
British  forts.  Baird  was  aware  of  its  con- 
struction from  the  first,  but  his  force  was 
too  weak  for  a  sortie  to  destroy  it,  and  he 
could  do  nothing  but  watch  and  wait  as 
usual.  Strange  to  say,  just  as  it  was  com- 
pleted and  ready  for  use  it  was  set  on  fire 
and  burned  to  the  ground. 

We    left    a    certain    Sergeant    Sylvanus 

Dade,  the    veteran    match-maker,    with   a 

wound  in  his  shoulder  and  a  badly  bruised 

body,  lying  in  the  creek  by  the  side  of  the 
i6  241 


When   Blades  are  Out 


bridge  he  had  so  gallandy  defended.     The 

cool  water  had  revived  him  after  his  fall, 

and  he  had  climbed  out  by  a  prodigious 

effort  and  crawled  to  the  cabin  of  one  of 

the   poorer  settlers  of  the   neighborhood. 

There  he  had  remained  for  the  space  of  a 

month  while  recovering  from  his  wounds. 

When  he  felt  himself  in  trim  again,  he  had 

naturally  gone  to  Overbrook. 

Approaching    circumspectly,    late    one 

evening,  he   had  secured  a  position  from 

which  the  whole  situation  was  revealed  to 

him.     It  was   impossible  for  him  to  pass 

through  the  British  lines  of  investment  and 

gain  the  stockade,  but  he  noticed  that  the 

outskirts  of  the  camp  were  negligently,  or 

not  at  all,  guarded,  and  that  little  or  no 

watch  was  kept  in  the  direction  whence  he 

came.     Greene    and    his    army,   after   the 

drawn  battle  of  Hobkirk's  Hill,  were  far 

away  to  the    southward,  busily  occupied 

with  the  British  posts  in  that  section  of  the 

242 


And   Love's  Afield 


field,  and  no  attack  was  to  be  apprehended 
by  the  besiegers  fiom  them,  consequently 
they  only  watched  the  hill.  Therefore  the 
Sergeant  determined  upon  the  bold  exploit 
of  burning  the  tower. 

The  night  happened  to  be  dark  and 
cloudy,  and  a  furious  wind  blowing  through 
the  trees  enabled  him  to  work  without  fear 
of  detection.  He  succeeded  by  morning 
in  surrounding  the  supports  of  the  tower, 
the  bottom  timbers  of  which  happened  to 
be  made  of  very  dry  wood,  with  a  mass  of 
inflammable  material,  over  which,  with  a 
deep  sigh  of  regret,  he  poured  the  contents 
of  a  well-filled  whiskey-flask.  The  touch- 
ing of  it  off  was,  of  course,  the  most  risky 
part  of  the  whole  -undertaking,  but  with 
flint  and  steel  he  succeeded  in  igniting  the 
mass  in  several  places  before  he  was  de- 
tected. Then,  instead  of  running  immedi- 
ately, as  a  less  thoughtful  man  would  have 
done,  he  took  shelter  behind  an  adjoining 

243 


When   Blades  are  Out 


tree,  and  by  skilfully  using  his  pistols  and 
rifle,  with  which  he  knocked  over  the  sen- 
try and  the  first  two  men  who  came  to  put 
out  the  fire,  he  succeeded  in  holding  the 
British  in  check  until  it  got  such  headway 
that  it  soon  completely  destroyed  the  tower. 

Sir  Francis  was  frantic  with  rage  at  this 
mishap,  and  it  would  have  gone  hard  with 
Dade  if  he  had  been  caught.  He  suc- 
ceeded, however,  in  making  good  his  es- 
cape, and  morning  found  him  setting  forth 
to  the  southward  with  all  the  energy  of  his 
long  legs  to  hunt  for  General  Greene  and 
beg  him  to  come  and  relieve  the  situation. 

Baird  and  his  party  had  been  much 
cheered  by  the  burning  of  the  tower,  which 
they  had,  of  course,  witnessed  from  the 
hill.  The  shots  which  followed  convinced 
them  that  it  was  not  the  result  of  acci- 
dent, and  that  they  possessed  at  least  one 
friend  in  the  vicinity.  The  Americans  im- 
mediately surmised  that  it  was  the  handi- 

244 


And  Love's  Afield 


work  of  Sergeant  Dade.  Greatly  encour- 
aged, therefore,  hoping  that  he  had  escaped 
and  would  bring  rescue  to  them,  they  con- 
tinued their  determined  resistance  and  held 
on  resolutely  as  before. 

Judge  Burton  had  remained  with  Sir 
Francis,  chiefly  because  he  had  no  place 
else  to  go, — it  was  dangerous  to  travel 
alone  in  that  country,  and  Sir  Francis  had 
refused  to  allow  him  a  single  soldier  for  an 
escort, — but  the  relations  between  the  two 
gentlemen  had  become  extremely  strained, 
and  save  for  formal  courtesies  there  was 
little  or  no  intercourse  between  them.  De- 
prived of  his  vocation,  of  his  books,  his 
household,  his  daughter,  the  Judge  passed 
the  long  hours  under  the  shade  of  the  trees 
at  the  foot  of  the  hill,  surveying  the  stock- 
ade and  the  house,  over  w^hich  fluttered  in 
happy  defiance  the  American  flag, — a  thing 
he  abominated  as  the  symbol  of  everything 
unholy  and  disgraceful. 

245 


When   Blades  are  Out 


The  feelings  of  the  Judge  toward  Baird 
had  not  changed  in  the  slightest  degree. 
He  had  made  several  attempts  either  to  get 
into  the  house  himself  or  to  get  his  daughter 
and  his  niece  out  of  it,  and  had  so  infuriated 
the  Americans  by  his  intemperate  language 
that  Baird  had  been  obliged  to  warn  Sir 
Francis  to  keep  him  away,  or  he  would 
not  be  responsible  for  the  consequences. 
Duane,  therefore,  refused,  in  a  stormy  inter- 
view, to  permit  him  to  approach  the  house 
again,  and  the  majesty  of  the  King's  law, 
represented  by  the  Judge,  found  itself  pow- 
erless before  the  might  of  the  King's  army, 
as  represented  by  the  Colonel. 

After  the  mishap  to  the  Maham  tower  Sir 

Francis  determined  upon  another  expedient. 

The    hill    upon    which    Overbrook    stood 

dropped  on  one  side  abruptly  down  to  the 

river,  and  the  palisades  were  planted  on  the 

very    edge    of  the    declivity.     The    steep 

slope  of  the  grounds  prevented  a  clear  view 

246 


And  Love's  Afield 


of  the  river  from  the  top  of  the  hill.  As 
has  been  said,  the  place  was  unscalable  and 
that  side  lightly  guarded.  Accordingly, 
Sir  Francis  determined  to  dig  his  way  into 
the  house.  Every  night,  therefore,  details 
of  soldiers  on  the  river  bank  burrowed 
slowly  inward  and  upward  toward  the 
house.  So  skilfully  and  carefully  were 
their  operations  carried  on  that  the  Amer- 
icans had  not  the  slightest  idea  of  what 
was  occurring. 

As  this  mine,  which  was  not  intended 
to  blow  up  the  house  but  to  admit  his 
troopers,  progressed  rapidly.  Sir  Francis 
became  more  and  more  sanguine  of  suc- 
cess. The  Judge  had  given  him  a  plan  of 
the  enclosure,  and  he  had  arranged  to  ter- 
minate the  excavation  in  the  cellar  of  the 
house,  into  which  they  hoped  to  enter  un- 
observed. Finally  the  tunnel  was  com- 
pleted, and   they  were    face   to   face  with 

the  loosely  laid  stones  of  the  cellar  wall. 

247 


When  Blades  are  Out 


A  few  moments  of  work  would  admit 
them. 

It  was  about  the  middle  of  July.  The 
night  was  dark,  and  Sir  Francis  determined 
to  enter  the  stockade  that  night  a  little  after 
midnight.  He  made  his  plans  carefully. 
With  twenty  men  he  arranged  to  break 
into  the  house  through  the  covered  way 
into  the  cellar.  With  half  of  this  force 
he  would  master  the  people  in-doors.  A 
sergeant  and  ten  men  were  to  dash  for  the 
gate,  overpower  the  surprised  defenders,  and 
throw  it  open.  The  rest  of  his  troops  were 
to  creep  up  the  hill  without  discovering 
themselves,  if  possible,  and  rush  in  when 
the  gate  was  opened.  He  trusted  the 
whole  affair  might  be  successfully  carried 
out  without  firing  a  shot. 

Save  for  the  doubt  in  his  mind  as  to 

Sarah's  feelings.  Sir  Francis  was  very  happy 

in    the  thought  that  a  few   hours  would 

probably  put  him  in  possession  of  the  man 

248 


And  Love's  Afield 


who  had  thwarted  him  and  the  woman  he 
loved.  There  was  sweetness,  too,  in  the 
idea  that  he  could  demonstrate  his  power 
to  the  woman  who  had  flouted  him  and 
whom  Baird  had  stolen  away.  Altogether, 
contingent  upon  the  opinions  of  Sarah,  he 
anticipated  a  very  happy  evening.  Judge 
Burton,  who  had,  of  course,  been  fully 
aware  of  the  preparations,  was  feeling  in 
considerably  better  spirits.  He  was  burn- 
ing for  a  few  untrammelled  words  with 
Curtis  Baird.  Incidentally,  he  was  de- 
sirous of  a  brief  interview  with  his 
daughter. 

In  addition  to  planning  the  campaign, 
Sir  Francis  had  carefully  thought  over 
everything  he  should  say  and  do  in  every 
contingency  which  the  most  fertile  imagi- 
nation could  suggest  as  likely  to  occur. 
The  Judge,  too,  had  devoted  his  leisure 
moments   to  formulating  his   own  wishes 

and  desires,  and  both  gentlemen  were  fully 

249 


When  Blades  are  Out 


prepared.  Like  the  Jews  and  Samaritans, 
their  intercourse  continued  strictly  formal, 
and  each  kept  to  his  own  end  of  the  camp. 
The  Judge  would  have  preferred  to  go  with 
the  forlorn  hope  under  Sir  Francis,  but  he 
had  been  bluntly  repulsed  by  that  gentle- 
man when  he  ventured  to  suggest  it,  and 
he  was  perforce  compelled  to  accept  a  posi- 
tion with  the  main  body. 

But  every  plan  which  a  man  has  ever 
laid  is  liable  to  be  disconcerted  by  a  woman, 
and  the  disturbing  factor  was  introduced  in 
this  instance  in  the  person  of  the  fascinating 
little  match-maker, — or  unmaker  would  be 
a  better  word, — the  mocking  Sarah.  Sir 
Francis  had  gone  to  his  tent  in  the  early 
evening  for  a  few  moments  and  was  busily 
making  his  preparations  for  the  adventure 
of  the  night — part  of  the  preparations  be- 
ing the  reading  for  the  thousandth  time  of  a 
well-worn  note — when  his  orderly  stopped 

before  his  tent  with  the  information  that 

250 


And  Love's  Afield 


the  sentry  had  halted  a  lady  from  the  house 
who  desired  to  see  Colonel  Duane. 

Sir  Francis  instantly  forgot  about  the 
sortie.  His  heart  gave  a  furious  bound, 
and  his  voice  trembled  in  spite  of  himself 
as  he  bade  the  orderly  pass  the  lady  within 
the  lines  and  escort  her  to  his  tent.  Hastily 
lighting  an  additional  candle  and  pulling 
forward  a  rude  camp-chair  which  had  been 
made  out  of  tree-boughs,  laying  his  sword 
and  pistols  on  the  table,  at  the  same  time 
giving  a  few  furtive  tugs  at  his  war-worn 
uniform,  he  filled  in  the  time  before  the  flap 
of  the  tent  was  lifted  and  a  woman,  heavily 
cloaked  and  with  a  hat  drawn  down  over 
her  face,  entered.  A  glance  told  him  she 
was  too  short  for  Isabel.  The  leap  of  his 
heart  indicated  to  him  that  it  was  Sarah, 
and  he  did  not  need  that  she  should  take 
off  her  hat  and  drop  her  cloak  in  order  that 
he  might  recognize  her. 


251 


HE  first  sight  of  her  filled 
him  with  apprehension 
and  dismay.  She  was  but 
a  shadow  of  her  former 
self;  her  great  black  eyes 
shone  from  her  pale,  wasted  face  with 
almost  unearthly  brilliancy ;  starvation  had 
robbed  her  pretty  figure  of  its  graceful, 
rounded  curves,  and  her  sunken  cheeks  and 
pinched  lips  spoke  eloquently  of  the  rav- 
ages of  hunger. 

"  Good    God  I"   exclaimed    Sir   Francis. 

252 


And  Love's  Afield 


"  My  poor  child  I  How  you  must  have 
suffered !  I  never  realized,  I  never 
dreamed " 

"And  did  you  think,  Sir  Francis,"  she 
asked,  "that  women  could  live  on  horses" 
— with  a  shudder  of  disgust — "  forever  ?'* 

"  Horses  !"  he  exclaimed.  "  Had  you 
nothing  else  ?" 

"  But  little,  sir,  after  the  first  week.  But 
I  am  revealing  the  secrets  of  the  house. 
'Tis  a  most  unmilitary  thing,  I  fear,"  she 
added,  with  a  smile,  which  had  lost  none 
of  its  brilliancy  and  but  little  of  its 
mockery. 

"  Gracious  Heaven  !"  cried  Sir  Francis, 
in  consternation.  "  And  I  suppose  you  are 
hungry  now  !" 

"  Hungry  !"  she  exclaimed,  with  a  savage 
glance.  "  Oh,  no,  sir  !  In  fact,  I  am  come 
to  invite  you  to  dinner." 

"Thank  you,"  replied  the  Colonel, 
gravely,  "  but  I  think  it  would  be  better 

253 


When   Blades  are  Out 


for  you  to  dine  with  me  under  the  circum- 
stances. Pray  be  seated. — Orderly  I"  he 
called,  and  as  that  functionary  thrust  his 
head  into  the  tent,  he  bade  him  summon 
his  black  servant  and  see  that  something  to 
eat,  the  best  in  the  camp,  was  brought 
immediately. 

A  cold  chicken,  some  corn-bread,  and  a 
bottle  of  wine  were  soon  placed  on  the 
little  camp-table.  Sir  Francis  had  handed 
Sarah  to  a  chair  with  all  the  grace  of  a 
court.  She  drew  up  her  seat  before  the 
appetizing  viands,  and,  leaning  her  head  in 
her  hands,  burst  into  tears. 

"Why,  what's  the  matter'?"  exclaimed 
Sir  Francis,  in  great  surprise. 

"  I  am  so  hungry,"  she  answered,  "  I  ^ 
actually  cannot  control  myself!  Would 
you  believe  it,  I  should  like  to  pick  the 
poor  chicken  up  in  my  hands  and  tear  it  to 
pieces  !  Don't  look  at  me  I  I  shall  dis- 
grace myself  forever !" 

254 


And  Love's  Afield 


"  Never  mind  me,"  said  Sir  Francis.  "  I 
know  how  it  is.  Pick  it  up  if  you  want 
to.     I  shall  love  to  have  you  do  it." 

The  truth  that  lay  behind  his  last  asser- 
tion was  a  sure  sign  of  the  desperate  nature 
of  his  passion  for  the  girl.  Only  a  very 
devoted  lover  loves  to  see  his  sweetheart 
eat.  She  wasted  no  more  words  or  tears, 
but  without  more  ado  began  on  the  chicken. 
For  a  few  moments  conversation  was  stilled 
in  the  presence  of  the  primal  instinct  of 
hunger,  which  comes  even  to  the  daintiest. 
Sir  Francis  waited  upon  her  and  served  her 
with  the  expertness  of  a  major-domo.  He 
carved  the  chicken,  filled  the  gourd  with 
wine,  and  fairly  hovered  over  her. 

"  Oh,"  she  said  at  last,  with  a  satisfied 
air,  "  I  feel  like  a  selfish  animal  to  be  eating 
down  here  when  they  are  so  hungry  up 
there  !  If  you  could  see  poor  Isabel,  Sir 
Francis  !" 

"  I  have  been  waiting  here  for  some  six 

255 


When   Blades  are  Out 


weeks   for    that   pleasure,"    answered    the 
other,  grimly. 

"  Oh,  have  you  *?"  cried  Sarah,  in  alarm  ; 
"  I  hoped  that  you — 


j> 


"  That  I  what  ?" 

"  That  you  might  go  away,"  she  an- 
swered, lamely. 

"  Go  away  and  leave  you — I  mean  Isa- 
bel ? — never !  Besides,  I  don't  feel  sorry 
for  her.     She  brought  it  on  herself" 

"No,  I "  Sarah  answered,  quickly, 

and  then  she  stopped  with  a  sudden  blush, 
for  she  had  almost  betrayed  herself 

"  You  what '?"  asked  Sir  Francis. 

"  I — I — don't  care  whether  you  are  sorry 
or  not,  I  mean." 

"  Oh,  don't  you?     Well,  madam,  about 

six  weeks  ago  I  came  to  that  house  on 

the  hill  yonder  for  a  bride,  and  a  bride  I 

intend  to  have  before  I  leave  it,  or  know 

the    reason  why !"  answered    Sir   Francis, 

grimly. 

256 


And  Love's  Afield 


"  You  haven't  captured  us  yet,  though," 
remarked  Sarah. 

"  No,  I  have  not,  but  I  shall,"  he  replied, 
lightly.  "  By  your  own  confession,  all 
your  provisions  are  gone  except " 

"  Except  that  one  horse,  Erebus,  that 
helped  them  to  escape " 

"  I  trust  that  I  am  not  so  small  as  to  feel 
resentment  against  a  horse,"  answered  Sir 
Francis,  magnanimously.  "  He  is  too  good 
an  animal  to  be  eaten,  and  I  mean  to  ap- 
propriate him  to  my  own  use  when  I  have 
captured  the  stockade." 

"  And  when  that  interesting  event  takes 
place,  have  you  made  up  your  mind  what 
you  will  do  with  Isabel?  Will  you  ap- 
propriate her  also?" 

"  Not  precisely,  but  I  shall  find  some 
way  to  punish  her." 

"  Heavens  !     You  don't  intend  to  marry 
her,  do  you  V  she  cried,  archly,  the  good 
dinner  having  put  her  in  a  better  humor. 
17  257 


When   Blades  are   Out 


"  I  find  it  very  hard,"  he  began,  with 
painful  dignity,  smarting  under  her  quip, 
"  to " 

"  Give  up  the  broad  acres  *?  I  should 
think  so  !" 

Sir  Francis  stamped  his  foot  upon  the 
ground. 

"  Will  you  be  silent  upon  that  subject  V 
he  cried.     "  I  command " 

"  Command,  sir  !"  she  exclaimed,  resent- 
fully. "  And  by  what  right  do  you  com- 
mand me*?" 

"  Let  me  see,"  added  Sir  Francis,  slowly, 
recovering  himself,  "  you  came  down  here 
under  a  flag  of  truce " 

-  I  did  not !" 

"  You  didn't  even  wave  your  handker- 
chief?" 

"  What,   wave    my    handkerchief   to    a 

common    soldier  I"    drawing    herself    up 

haughtily.     "  I  would  scarcely  have  done 

that  if  it  had  been  you.  Sir  Francis." 

258 


And  Love's  Afield 


"  How  did  you  get  here,  then  ?" 

"  I  just  walked  up  to  the  soldier  out 
there  and  said  that  I  wished  to  see 
you." 

"  And  did  you  realize,  or  do  you  realize, 
that  you  are  now^  a  prisoner  of  war,  madam, 
and  have  no  freedom  whatever  ?  That  is 
why  I  commanded  you  to  be  silent  on  that 
old  score." 

"  A  prisoner  !"  she  cried,  faintly.  "  And 
am  I  not  to  return  when  I  wish  ?" 

"  No,  madam ;  not  unless  I  give  you 
permission." 

"  Why,  it's  outrageous  I  I  came  here 
to  see  you  and — and " 

"  It  is  outrageous,  doubtless.  Miss  Bur- 
ton, but  it  is  war,"  he  remarked,  sternly ; 
"  therefore,  as  I  said  before,  we  will  have 
no  more  disgraceful  allusions  of  the  mo- 
ment since." 

"  Won't  we  !"  she  answered,  with  spirit. 

"  You  may  hold  me  a  prisoner,  but  know, 

259 


When   Blades  are  Out 


sir,  that  no  man  that  ever  hved  was  able 
to  prison  a  woman's  tongue  !" 

"  Few  women,  even,"  commented  the 
Colonel,  "have  been  equal  to  that  task." 

"  And  I  shall  say  what  I  please,  do  you 
understand,  sir?"  she  continued,  with  the 
rising  inflection  of  anger.  "  Broad  acres  ! 
Broad  acres  !     Broad  a — 


5) 


She  faltered  and  burst  into  tears  again. 
He  regarded  her  in  silent  consternation. 

"  How  I  hate  you  I"  she  cried,  at  last. 
"  I  hate  all  men  I  They  are  all  selfish, 
horrid  brutes  I  Just  because  Captain  Baird 
was  in  love  with  Isabel  he — he — has  got- 
ten us  all  into  this  trouble,"  she  wailed, 
with  feminine  inconsistency.  "  And  you 
don't  care  for — you  don't  care  for  anything 
except  Isabel's  broad  acres.  You  are  a 
heartless,  horrid  wretch  I"  she  continued, 
weeping  vociferously,  watching  him  mean- 
while out  of  the  corner  of  her  eye. 

Sir  Francis,  for  once  in  his  hfe,  felt  him- 

260 


And   Love's  Afield 


self  completely  nonplussed  by  these  ex- 
traordinary accusations.  He  wanted  to 
take  Sarah  in  his  arms  and  assure  her  that 
there  was  nothing  on  earth  he  cared  for 
like  her  little  black  head.  He  wanted  to 
crush  her  up  against  his  great  heart,  which 
for  six  weeks  had  been  thirsting  for  her, 
and  pour  into  her  ear  a  tale  of  love  and 
devotion  all  the  more  intense  because  it 
had  been  fought  against  and  struggled  with. 
She  seemed  so  small  and  frail  that  he 
yearned  to  lift  her  up  as  if  she  had  been 
a  baby.  Or  he  could  have  thrown  him- 
self down  at  her  pretty  feet  and  been 
trampled  upon  had  she  so  willed  it. 

But  Sir  Francis  was  wise  in  his  genera- 
tion ;  he  knew  that  the  time  was  not  yet, 
so  he  waited,  quietly  watching  her.  He 
was  a  modest  young  man  in  many  respects, 
too,  and  he  was  not  at  all  certain  as  to  how 
his  advances   would  be   received.     So  he 

looked  at  her  in  the  helpless  silence  with 

261 


When   Blades  are  Out 


which  men  contemplate  changeful  women 
when  their  emotions  get  the  better  of  them 
and  manifest  themselves  in  tears. 

"  I  wish  you  wouldn't  cry,"  he  said,  at  last. 
"  I'd  give  anything  to  make  you  happy." 

"  You  wouldn't  give  up  the  broad  acres, 
though,"  she  murmured,  in  her  sobs. 

"Wouldn't  I?     Oh,  Sarah!" 

He  sprang  forward,  but  she  rose  quickly 
to  her  feet. 

"  Oh,  what  have  I  said  ?"  she  cried.  "  1 
didn't  mean  that,  really.  Don't  come  near 
me,  Sir  Francis  I" 

The  poor  fellow's  heart  sank  into  his 
boots  again. 

"  I  suppose,"  he  said,  sadly,  "  it  is  your 
love  of  teasing  that  makes  you  endeavor 
to  make  me  so  miserable.  What  shall  I 
do?  What  did  you  come  here  for,  any- 
way?" 

"  Is    that    my    dismissal  ?"    she    asked, 

eagerly. 

262 


^^i  SUDDEN    thought   struck 
him.     He  reflected  quickly, 
changed    his   tone    and  his 
^  tactics,  and  began  again  : 

"  We  do  not  dismiss 
prisoners  in  that  way.  I  am  now  about 
to  interrogate  you  as  a  suspected  spy.  Be 
seated,"  he  said,  with  authority,  formally 
pointing  to  a  chair,  as  he  sat  down  oppo- 
site her. 

It  was  a  novel  sensation  for  her  to  be 

commanded  in  that  way,  but  to  her  own 

263 


When   Blades  are  Out 


great  surprise  she  obeyed  him  without  pro- 
test. 

"  Now,  you  came  for  what  purpose  V* 

"  Why — I" — her  glance  fell  upon  the 
table — "  to  get  something  to  eat,  of 
course." 

"  Oh  I"  said  Sir  Francis.  "  And  did  you 
desert  your  camp  and  your  comrades  to 
satisfy  the  cravings  of  your  own  appetite  ?" 
he  continued,  suavely. 

"  Desert,  sir !  I  came  for — I  came 
for "  she  cried,  in  indignation. 

"  For  something  to  eat '?  Precisely  !"  he 
said.  "  And  is  the  commandant  of  the 
garrison  aware  of  your  absence  ?" 

"  Nobody  is  aware  of  it  except  the  Cor- 
net ;  he  let  me  out." 

"  Oh,  the  Cornet  ?  There  is  a  cornet,  is 
there,  and  he  let  you  out,  did  he  ?  Why 
did  he  do  that  ?" 

"  Well,  he  seems  to — to — 


7J 


"  In  short,  he  is  in  love  with  you,  I  sup- 

264 


And  Love's  Afield 


pose,"  interrupted  her  questioner.  "  YouVe 
been  keeping  your  hand  in  on  him,  have 
you  ?"  he  rudely  burst  forth,  in  fury,  forget- 
ting himself  again.  "  I  will  settle  with 
him  when  I  get  the  place  I" 

"  Mercy  on  us,  he  didn't  run  away  with 
your  bride  !  It  was  Captain  Baird !"  ex- 
claimed Sarah,  in  pleased  surprise. 

"  Never  mind  about  Captain  Baird.  I 
have  no  quarrel  with  him  at  present." 

"  No  quarrel  I"  she  cried,  opening  her 
eyes  in  astonishment.  "  Why,  he — he 
— ran  away  with  your  bride  I  Didn't 
you — 


5> 


"  Your  pardon,  madam,"  interrupted  the 
Colonel.  "  Please  to  remember  that,  so 
far  as  it  is  possible  between  man  and 
woman,  I  am  conducting  this  examination, 
and  that    you  are    here   to    answer   ques- 


tions." 


"  Yes,  sir,"  she  answered,  mockingly. 

"  x\nd  having  come  here  for  something 

265 


When   Blades  are  Out 


to  eat,  and  having  received  it,  what  was  the 
next  move  in  contemplation  ?" 

"  I  thought  you — would — take  me 
back,"  she  said,  at  last. 

"  I !" 

"  Yes,  I  hoped  that  you — that  you — that 
I — that  we — would  go  up  to  the  hall  to- 
gether. Sir  Francis." 

"  Ah  !  Now  we  have  the  truth.  You 
came  to  entice  me  to  the  hall,  did  you?" 

"  Yes." 

"  And  for  what  reason  ?" 

She  had  grace  enough  to  blush  and  turn 
away  her  head. 

"  Not  for  any  particular  reason." 

"  Oh,  simply  for  the  pleasure  of  my 
society,  was  it*?" 

"  Yes,  of  course.  You  see,  it  has  been 
so  long  since  I  have  seen  a  man.  Captain 
Baird  is  so  wrapped  up  in  Isabel — 


i> 


(( 


There  is  the   Cornet,"  interrupted   Sir 

Francis. 

266 


And   Love's  Afield 


"  Yes,  but  he — oh,  dear,  why  do  you 
dare  to  catechise  me  in  this  manner  *?"  she 
replied,  in  confusion ;  "  and  why  am  I  so 
foohsh  as  to  answer  you  *?  I  shall  not  say 
another  word,  sir  I" 

"  Hm  I"  remarked  the  soldier,  quietly ; 
"  we  have  means  of — er — making  recalci- 
trant prisoners  open  their  mouths " 


"  Sir  Francis,  you  wouldn't  dare  !" 

"  Miss  Sarah,  I  would  dare  everything  to 
win  the  prize  for  which  I  am  playing." 

"  Do  you  care  so  much  for  Isabel,  then  ? 
— for  Isabel's  property  ?"  she  faltered. 

"As  I  told  you,"  said  the  Colonel,  "I 
came  here  for  a  bride,  and  I  don't  leave 
without  getting  one  I  I  think  I  can  sur- 
mise the  reason  to  which  I  owe  the  honor 
of  this  visit.  You  have  heard  that  if  by 
any  chance  the  Americans  could  get  posses- 
sion of  my  person  they  might  make  terms 
which  would  enable  them  to  escape.  With- 
out counting  the  cost  or  the  consequences, 

267 


When   Blades  are   Out 


you  have  come  here  with  some  foohsh  plan 
of  enticing  me  into  the  stockade  by  foster- 
ing in  my  mind  the  idea  that  I  shall  ac- 
complish my  end  and  win  my  bride 
thereby." 

Sarah  blushed  and  shrank  before  this 
hard  dissection  of  her  hopes  and  motives. 
Sir  Francis,  delighted  with  the  success  of 
his  tactics,  waited  for  her  to  speak  again. 

"  You — you  do  not  think  me  unmaid- 
enly  in  what  I  have  done  *?"  she  faltered,  in 
great  distress,  turning  away  her  drooping 
head. 

"  Pardon  me,"  he  replied,  with  well- 
simulated  coldness,  steeling  his  heart 
against  her  unspoken  appeal ;  "  my 
thoughts  of  you  at  present  are  not 
under  discussion." 

She  turned  deadly  pale  at  this  withering 

reproof,  and  sank  back  in  her  chair  with  a 

look  of  utter  dismay. 

"  In   the   first  place,   madam,"  he   con- 

268 


And  Love's  Afield 


tinued,  pitilessly,  "  though  I  have  no  love 
for  Captain  Baird,  I  believe  him  to  be  an 
honorable  soldier.  He  would  rather  die, 
I  am  sure,  than  procure  the  safety  of  him- 
self or  his  men  by  yielding  up  Miss  Isabel. 
I  should  not  do  it " 

"  Oh,  you  do  love  her,  then  ?  Can  it 
be  possible  ?     What  have  I  done  ?" 

"  I  was  about  to  say.  Miss  Burton,  I 
should  not  do  it  were  I  in  his  place,"  he 
continued.  "  So  that  your  errand  is  en- 
tirely fruitless.  You  have  come  here  to 
entice  me,  and  got  yourself  captured  for 
no  purpose." 

"  I  was  desperate,"  said  Sarah,  quickly, 

on    her   defence    at    last.     "  Isabel    is    ill. 

She  is  not  made  of  so  tough  a  fibre  as  I 

am,  and    I — I — couldn't    bear   to  see  her 

suffer.     I  am  afraid  she  will  die,  and  they 

are  all  so  hungry  I     One  of  the  soldiers  is 

dead  already,  and  two  of  the  slaves ;  and  I 

thought — I  hoped — that  we  could  go  up  to 

269 


When   Blades  are  Out 


the  hall  together  on  some  pretext,  and  you 
could  see  how  everything  was,  and  you 
would  be  merciful  and  let  us  go.  Of 
course,  I  didn't  tell  Captain  Baird,  for  he 
wouldn't  have  allowed  me  to  come.  He 
is  almost  crazy  now.  Oh,  they  have  all 
been  punished  for  loving  each  other  !" 

"  And  is  that  all  you  thought.  Miss 
Burton  V 

"  No,  sir,  I  will  make  a  clean  breast  of 
it.  I  hoped  that  if  we  could  get  you  in- 
side the  fort  on  some  pretext  we  could — 
make  you  let  us  go." 

"  Exactly  !  And  you  could  lend  your- 
self, your  fascinations,  your  influence,  your 
power  over  me,"  he  said,  betrayingly,  "  to 
further  this  unworthy  project !" 

"  I — I — was  so  hungry  I"  she  urged,  pite- 

ously,  in  justification,  "  and  I "     She 

stopped  and  dragged  her  glance  away  from 

him  lest  she  should  betray  herself;  lest  he 

should  find  that  it  was  a  hunger  of  the 

270 


sVj 


l>^ll 

IE3 

K-'MM 

"  I — I — was  so  hungry" 

m 

i^r 

•■P4 

And  Love's  Afield 


heart  to  see  him  rather  than  anything  else 
that  had  brought  her  out. 

"  Very  well,  madam,"  he  replied,  for- 
mally, "  I  intend  to  carry  out  your  Httle 
plan.  If  you  will  allow  me  a  few  mo- 
ments of  preparation,  I  will  go  with  you 
into  the  stockade." 

Having  gained  the  point  and  won  her 
way,  her  mood  changed. 

"  Oh,  Sir  Francis  !  I  cannot  allow  you 
— I  am  afraid  you — you — will  be  disap- 
pointed," she  cried. 

"  Leave  that  to  me.  I  will  take  the 
responsibility.  As  I  said  to  you,  I  have 
had  several  plans  in  view,  one  to  punish 
Captain  Baird  for  his  audacity  and  meddling 
impertinence,  and  another  to  secure  a  bride." 

"  And  a  third  design  upon,  I  suppose, 
the  property  of — 


5> 


Her  shot  failed.     The  Colonel  was  too 
sure  of  himself  and  of  her  now. 

"  Miss  Burton,"  he  answered,  "  you  have 


271 


When  Blades  are  Out 


come  here  on  a  certain  errand ;  you  have 
discharged  that  errand.  You  have  formed 
a  certain  plan  ;  the  plan  is  about  to  be 
carried  out :  I  am  going  with  you.  May 
I  ask  that  you  will  not  hereafter  refer  to 
this  extremely  disagreeable  subject^" 

"  Why  are  you  so  bitter  against  Isabel, 
then  V  she  asked,  evasively. 

"  Because,"  replied  Sir  Francis,  most 
mendaciously,  "  I  have  reason  to  suspect 
that  the  information  which  enabled  Captain 
Baird  to  waylay  us  came  from  her." 

"  Indeed,"  she  cried,  indignantly,  "  you 
do  her  wrong  !     It  did  not !" 

"  You  are  a  vehement  defender,  madam  ; 
perhaps  you  can  supply  me  with  informa- 
tion which  will  enable  me  to  identify  the 
writer  of  this,"  he  added,  playing  another 
card  by  taking  from  his  breast  pocket  a 
little,  torn  piece  of  paper.  It  gave  evi- 
dence of  constant  handling  and  had  been 

torn  in  two  along  the  crease.     Sir  Francis 

272 


And   Love's  Afield 


only  handed  her  the  upper  half.  Recog- 
nizing it  at  once,  she  took  it  from  him. 
Joy  I  Surely  there  was  yet  a  chance  of 
preserving  her  secret ;  perhaps  the  other 
half  had  not  been  found.  She  could  not 
control  the  burning  blush  which  suffused 
her  pale  cheek  as  she  looked  at  it,  but  by 
a  tremendous  effort  she  glanced  over  it  in 
seeming  carelessness,  and  returned  it  to  him 
with  the  remark  that  the  writing  was  not 
familiar  to  her.     She  had  to  do  it  I 

"  Perhaps  this  portion  will  enable  you  to 
solve  the  enigma,"  coolly  continued  Sir 
Francis,  remorselessly  pulling  out  the  last 
half,  bearing  her  own  initials. 

He  had  known,  then,  all  the  time ! 
Her  pride  was  broken ;  he  had  robbed 
her  of  everything. 

"  Sir    Francis — Sir    Francis,"  she    cried, 

miserably,  "how  could   you — how   could 

you  ?"    And  for  the  third  time  she  hid  her 

face  in  her  hands  and  wept. 
i8  273 


When   Blades  are  Out 


"  How  could  I?"  exclaimed  Sir  Francis, 
rising  and  stepping  toward  her.  "  How 
could  you  ?  Why  did  you  warn  them  ? 
I  never " 

"  Sir  Francis  I"  she  burst  out,  in  indigna- 
tion, lifting  her  head,  "  do  not  dare  to  touch 
me  !  I  have  told  you  again  and  again  that 
I  hated  you,  and  I  mean  it — now  I  I  could 
not  bear  to  see  Isabel  unhappy  !  That's 
all.  There  wasn't  anything  else.  There 
wasn't  a  thought  for  myself — or  for  you — 
or " 

"  May  I  point  out,  Miss  Burton,"  he 
began  quickly,  his  heart  beating  madly 
with  this  confirmation  of  his  hopes,  "  that 
no  one  has  accused  you  of  thinking  of  me 
or  yourself  at  all  ?" 

"  Let  us  end  this  I"  said  Sarah,  completely 
enmeshed.  *'  You  have  treated  me  outra- 
geously I  Come  up  to  the  hall,  if  you  dare  I 
I  have  not  a  bit  of  a  scruple  about  betray- 
ing you,  or  anything  ;  let  us  go  now  I" 

274 


And   Love's  Afield 


"  In  a  moment,"  cried  Duane,  looking 
at  his  watch  and  seizing  his  sword.  "  It 
is  ten  o'clock ;  a  moment  or  two  and  I  will 
be  with  you." 

He  stepped  outside  of  the  tent  as  he 
spoke.  The  note  was  left  lying  on  the 
table.  As  soon  as  his  back  was  turned 
Sarah  pounced  upon  it  and  lifted  it  up. 

"  He  had  it  in  his  breast  pocket  I  Next 
to  his  heart  I"  she  murmured.  "  How  worn 
it  is  I  I  wonder — it  looks  as  if  it  had  been 
read  over  and  over  again  I  How  he  must 
despise  me  I" 

She  seized  the  paper  as  if  to  tear  it  in 
two ;  at  the  same  instant  Sir  Francis,  who 
had  returned,  caught  her  wrists  in  an  iron 
grasp. 

"  Pardon  me.  Miss  Sarah,"  he  cried,  "  I 
would  not  lose  that  scrap  of  paper  for  all 
the  broad  acres  of  the  Burtons  I" 

She  dropped  it  at  his  feet  without  an- 
other word.     He  picked  it  up  and  replaced 

275 


When   Blades  are  Out 


it  in  the  pocket  from  whence  he  had  taken 
it. 

"  I  suppose  you  will  hold  it  over  me 
forever,"  she  murmured.  "  How  could  I 
have  done  it !  It  has  brought  nothing 
but  trouble  to  every  one  I  I  wish  that  I 
had  let  matters  take  their  course.  I  am  so 
unhappy,  and  I  have  lost  your — oh,  what 
can  you — what  can  any  one — think?" 

"  We  will  go  up  to  the  hall  if  you  will. 
Perhaps  I  m^ay  tell  you  there." 

He  stepped  to  the  door  of  the  tent  and 
lifted  it. 

"  Let  us  go,  then,  if  you  will  be  so 
foolish,"  she  said,  inclining  her  head  to 
him  as  she  passed  out. 

There  was  just  a  little  bit  of  hope  left  in 
her  heart  from  his  last  words.  And  they 
were  together  anyway. 


276 


HE  two  walked  slowly 
through  the  camp  until 
they  came  to  the  foot  of 
the  hill.  Sarah  was  too 
preoccupied  to  notice  that 
there  seemed  to  be  an  unusual  commo- 
tion about  her,  that  by  the  Colonel's  orders 
a  party  of  men  were  hurrying  off  toward 
the  river  in  the  darkness,  and  that  the  rest 
of  the  soldiery  were  arming  and  assem- 
bling in   ranks,  and  that  preparations   for 

an    immediate    attack    were    being    made. 

277 


When   Blades  are  Out 


The  Colonel,  who  had  simply  andcipated 
the  hour  for  the  attack,  paused  for  a  last 
whispered  direction  to  one  of  his  subordi- 
nates, and  then  follow^ed  her  up  the  road. 
Her  pace  became  slower  and  slower  as 
they  approached  the  stockade.  About 
half-way  up  the  hill  she  stopped. 

"  Sir  Francis,"  she  said,  "  I  cannot  let 
you  go  on.  There  is  no  bride  for  you  at 
the  house  on  the  hill.  I  have  deceived 
you  in  that  too.  Isabel  was  married  to 
Captain  Baird  the  day  they  came  here. 
The  Rector  of  the  parish  is  there.  He 
married  them.  You  must  go  back  I 
Captain  Baird  will  never  permit  you  to 
get  away." 

"  I  suspected  as  much,"  answered  Sir 
Francis,  calmly,  with  astonishing  uncon- 
cern. It  was  impossible  for  her  to  see  his 
face  in  the  darkness,  but  his  voice  gave 
no  evidence  of  either  surprise  or  indigna- 
tion.   "  Yet,  nevertheless,  I  have  agreed  to 

278 


And  Love's  Afield 


enter  the   stockade  with  you,  and  I  shall 
do  it/' 

"  But  you  don't  understand  !"  she  cried, 
laying  her  hand  on  his  arm.  "  You  will 
be  taken  prisoner  I  They  will  hold  you  ! 
Your  soldiers  will  have  to  go  away  in 
order  to  make  you  free,  and  you  will  lose 
liberty  as  w^ell  as  bride,  and  I  cannot  have 
you — 


5) 


"  Confidence  for  confidence,  Miss  Bur- 
ton. On  your  word  of  honor,  why  did 
you  write  that  note*?  Was  it  for  Isabel's 
sake  ?  The  truth,  now  1"  he  continued,  as 
she  hesitated. 

"  No,"  she  answered,  softly,  the  darkness 
giving  her  courage. 

"Was  it  for  mine?" 

"  Partly.  I  knew  that  she  didn't  love 
you " 

"  But  there  w^as  another  reason,  was  there 

not?" 

There  was  a  long  silence. 

279 


When   Blades  are  Out 


"  Yes,"  she  answered,  faintly,  at  last. 

"And  what  was  that^" 

"  I  cannot  tell  you.  Sir  Francis !  Do 
not  press  me  I     'Tis  most  unkind  1" 

His  arm  had  stolen  around  her  waist 
now.  In  her  agitation  she  scarcely  noticed 
it. 

"  And  will  there  not  be  a  bride  for  me  at 
the  top  of  the  hill  V 

"  I — I — I  don't  know — what  you  mean." 

"  I  mean  that  I  love  you,  Sarah,  and  that 
I  am  glad  that  Baird  took  Isabel  away  from 
me.  I  was  a  coward  not  to  have  con- 
fessed my  love  and  asked  you  to  make  me 
happy  long  since.  From  the  moment  I 
saw  you  I  have  loved  you,  but  the  en- 
gagement had  been  entered  upon.  It  was 
my  father's  wish,  that  of  the  Judge  also, 
and  I  was — I  am  still — so  desperately 
poor.  I  hesitated,  temporized ;  then  I 
was  jealous  of  Baird.  It  made  me  deter- 
mined to  marry  Isabel  in  spite  of  him,  but 

280 


And  Love's  Afield 


it  was  you  I  loved  from  the  beginning  to 

the   end  I     And   it  is   you    I   love   now  I" 

He    swept    her    unresisting    form    toward 

him.     "  It  almost  killed  me  when  I  saw 

you   looking  so  pale  and   hungry  in  the 

tent.     I  have  been  waiting  for  you,  dearest. 

I  swear  to  you,  I  have  not  had  a  thought 

of  revenge,  of  anything  but  getting  you  ; 

all  I  want  is  you  ! — you  I     If  you  will  but 

take  me  I     If  you  do  not  mind  my  being 

poor  I     I  will  come  back  after  the  war  is 

over  and  we   will    settle    down    together, 

poor  in  fortune,  rich  in  love.      That  little 

note  I      Didn't  you  see  how  worn  it  was, 

darling?     I  have  read  it  over  and  over.     I 

have  worn  it  out  with  kisses.    You  do  not 

answer  me.     I  have  been  afraid  that  you 

do  not  love  me.     Oh,  Sarah,  you  do,  don't 

you  V 

It  was  delicious  there  in  the  night  on  the 

hill.     He  held  her  so  strongly.     His  voice 

quivered  with  passion.     She  could  almost 

281 


When   Blades  are   Out 


hear  his  heart  beating  as  he  asked  the 
question. 

"  Isabel  is  so  much  more  beautiful  than 
I,"  she  murmured,  temporizing  to  the  last. 
"  I  don't  see  how " 

"  She  can't  hold  a  candle  to  you  in  my 
eyes,"  said  Sir  Francis,  fervently.  "  As  I 
see  you,  you  are  more  beautiful — 


5> 


"  You  don't  see  me  at  all  now,"  an- 
swered Sarah. 

"No,  but  I  feel  you,"  said  Sir  Fran- 
cis, giving  her  a  bearlike  hug.  "  Say 
that  you  love  me !  Do  not  shatter  my 
dream  !" 

"  I" — she  answered,  hesitatingly — "  I — 
you  shall  have  an  answer — a  bride — in  the 
stockade." 

She  struggled  faintly  as  he  turned  her 
face  up  toward  his  own  and  pressed  a  long, 
fervent  kiss  upon  her  lips. 

"  I    love    you !"   she    cried,   abandoning 

herself  to  his  caress.     "  I  loved  you  when 

282 


And  Love's  Afield 


you    kissed    me    In    the    hall,   but    it  was 
nothing  like  this,"  she  added. 

"  Now  let  us  go,"  he  said,  at  last,  tearing 
himself  away. 

"  Not  now,  not  now  !"  she  cried.  "  You 
are  mine,  and  I  cannot  have  you  taken 
prisoner  I" 


"  I  am  your  prisoner  already,  dearest," 
he  answered.  "  But  I  promised  you  con- 
fidence for  confidence.  I  have  made  ar- 
rangements to  capture  the  stockade  to- 
night. A  party  of  my  men,  who  are  even 
now  on  the  way,  will  break  in  through  the 
cellar, — we  have  tunnelled  in  from  the 
river  bank, — and  we  will  gain  the  house 
probably  without  firing  a  shot." 

"  Is  that  why  you  were  going  to  the 
stockade  with  me  ?"  she  asked,  in  sudden 
suspicion,  drawing  away  from  him. 

"  Don't  do  that,   Sarah,"  he    answered. 

"  I  swear  to  you  that  to  gain  your  love  I 

283 


When  Blades  are  Out 


would  willingly  be  taken  prisoner.  I  came 
with  you  because  I  love  you,  and  for  no 
other  reason." 

"  You  have  beaten  me  at  every  point," 
she  answered.  "  'Tis  a  new  experience,  but 
I  like  it." 

"  One  thing  more  before  we  go,"  added 
Sir  Francis. 

"  No,  not  another  kiss." 

"  Yes,  a  thousand,  if  I  wish,"  he  cried, 
imperiously,  suiting  the  action  to  the  word  ; 
"  but  this  is  something  less  sweet.  Do  not 
tell  them  anything  about  this,  except  that  I 
am  your  prisoner  and  that  you  promised 
me  a  bride  within  the  stockade,  and  let  me 
do  the  talking." 

"  A  hard  task  for  a  woman,"  she  an- 
swered, "  but  I  promise." 

A  few  steps  more  and  they  were  at  the 
gate  of  the  enclosure. 

"  Who  goes  there  *?"  cried  the  sentry  as 

they  approached. 

284 


And  Love's  Afield 


"  A  friend,  Miss  Burton,  with  a  prisoner," 
she  answered. 

"  Stand  where  you  are,'*  cried  the  man, 
"  until  the  officer  of  the  guard  is  called." 

In  a  moment  the  Cornet,  lantern  in  hand, 
peered  over  the  gate-way. 

"  Is  it  you.  Miss  Sarah  *?"  he  cried. 

"  Damn  his  impudence !  Miss  Sarah, 
indeed  I"  exclaimed  the  Colonel,  under  his 
breath. 

"  Yes,  'tis  I,  and  I  have  a  prisoner.  Will 
you  permit  us  to  pass  in  *?" 

"  There  is  no  one  else  with  you  ?" 

"  No  one,  I  pledge  you  my  word  of 
honor." 

"  Advance,  then." 

In  a  few  moments  Sarah  and  the  Colonel 
entered  the  stockade. 

"  Colonel  Duane  I"  cried  the  Cornet,  in 
astonishment,  as  he  recognized  the  English- 
man. 

The  same,  sir,"  replied  Duane. 

285 


(( 


When   Blades  are  Out 


"  Miss  Sarah- 


»? 


"  Miss  Burton,  sir  !"  thundered  the  Colo- 
nel, "  if  you  please  I" 

"  Sir,"  said  the  Cornet,  "  this  is  a  most 
unusual  tone  for  a  prisoner  to  assume." 

"  Mr.  Hale,"  said  Sarah,  quickly,  ''  the 
Colonel  is  my  prisoner,  not  yours.  Stand 
aside,  please.  Come,  Sir  Francis,  I  will 
take  you  to  Captain  Baird." 


N  a  moment  the  two 
stepped  into  the  familiar 
great  hall  of  the  old  house. 
Baird  and  Isabel  were  there. 
She  looked  fearfully  wasted 
and  ill,  and  Baird  was  haggard  and  worn 
from  privation,  anxiety,  and  service. 

"  No,  no  !"  she  was  saying,  as  they  en- 
tered the  room ;   "  I  wdll  not  have  Erebus 

killed " 

"  But,  dearest,  he  is  the  last  one.     It  is 

our  lives  or  his." 

287 


When   Blades  are  Out 


"  He  carried  me  to  you,  and  I  will  not 
have  him  slaughtered !" 

"  He  is  too  good  a  horse  to  be  eaten. 
Captain  Baird,"  said  Sir  Francis,  calmly. 

"  Colonel  Duane  !"  cried  Baird,  laying 
his  hand  upon  his  sword. 

"  Sir  Francis,  you  here  !"  screamed  Isa- 
bel, springing  to  her  feet. 

"  How  came  you  here,  sir  ?"  asked  Baird, 
stepping  toward  him. 

Sir  Francis  bowed  gracefully  toward 
Sarah,  remarking, — 

"  I  am  a  prisoner,  sir." 

"  A  prisoner  !     Whose  ?" 

"  Mine,"  answered  Sarah. 

"  Yours  ?" 

"  Even  mine,"  said  Sarah. 

"  And  you  captured  him  where  *?" 

"  In  his  camp." 

"  You  went  there  ?" 

"  Yes." 

"  When  ?" 

288 


And  Love's  Afield 


"  A  short  time  ago." 

"  Without  my  permission  ?" 

"Without  your  permission,  Captain 
Baird,"  courtesying. 

"  How  did  you  get  out  of  the  stock- 
ade r 

"  Cornet  Hale  passed  me  through  the 
gate,  sir." 

"  Ahem  !  I  shall  attend  to  him  later," 
said  Baird,  sternly.  "  And  how  did  you 
get  Sir  Francis  here  ?" 

"  He— I " 


"  I  came  for  my  bride,  sir,"  answered  Sir 
Francis,  equably. 

"  Oh,  you  did,  did  you '?  Did  you  make 
any  promises  to  him,  Sarah  ?" 

"Promises^" 

"  I  mean,  did  you  promise  him  immu- 
nity, did  he  come  under  the  protection  of 
the  flag,  or " 

"No  promises  of  that  sort  were  made 

me,"  said  Sir  Francis,  gravely.     "  I  could 
19  289 


When   Blades  are  Out 


not  bear  to  see  a  lady  wander  around  the 
hill  alone  at  night,  and  I  came  back  with 
her.  When  I  reached  the  stockade,  the 
desire  to  claim  my  promised  bride  became 
too  strong  for  me."  He  bowed  low  to 
Isabel,  who  had  fallen  back  in  the  chair, 
weak  and  faint  and  terrified.  "  I  determined 
to  enter." 

"  A  most  unfortunate  resolution  for  you, 
sir,"  said  Baird,  sternly,  "  for  now  that  we 
have  you,  we  will  not  let  you  go.  Sarah, 
I  know  not  how  you  have  managed  it,  but 
you  have  rendered  us  supreme  service. 
Your  sword.  Sir  Francis.  I  shall  use  you 
to  effect  our  escape.  You  come  in  the 
nick  of  time,  sir.  One  poor  dying  horse 
stands  between  us  and  starvation. — With- 
out there  !"  he  cried,  raising  his  voice  and 
stepping  past  Sir  Francis  toward  the  door. 
"  In  here  with  the  guard  !" 

"  I  came  here  for  a  bride,  and  I  intend  to 

have  her,"  said  Sir  Francis,  imperturbably, 

290 


And  Love's  Afield 


stepping  toward  Isabel.     She  sank  on  her 
knees  before  him. 

"  Oh,  Sir  Francis  I"  she  cried,  "  as  you 
are  powerful,  be  merciful  I  I  was  ready  to 
marry  you.  I  pledge  you  my  word  that  I 
intended  to  carry  out  the  engagement.  It 
was  through  no  treachery  of  mine  that  you 
lost  me.  But  I  see  now  that  if  the  mar- 
riage had  been  entered  upon  it  would  have 
been  a  mistake  for  both  of  us ;  I  loved 
Captain  Baird  long  before  I  saw  you,  and 
I  appeal  to  you,  sir,  be  merciful !  Let  us 
go  free  !" 

"Rise,  dearest,"  said  Baird,  tenderly  lift- 
ing her  up.  "  You  need  not  appeal  to  Sir 
Francis ;  he  is  our  prisoner  and  in  our 
power." 

"  Pardon  me,"  Sir  Francis  remarked,  with 
provoking  calmness,  "  I  am  Miss  Sarah's 
prisoner,  not  yours." 

"  It  is  the  same,  sir,"  answered  Baird,  im- 
petuously.    "  We  hold  you." 

291 


When  Blades  are  Out 


"  And  Miss  Burton "  continued  the 

Colonel,  turning  toward  Isabel. 

"  Madam  Baird,  if  you  please,  sir  I"  in- 
terrupted the  American,  as  if  exploding  a 
bombshell,  and  waiting  for  the  effect  upon 
the  Colonel's  face. 

"  Ah,  so  !"  said  the  Colonel,  with  the 
greatest  sang-froid.  "  To  be  sure,  I  had 
heard  of  it,  but  it  had  escaped  me  for  the 
moment.  I  congratulate  you,  sir,  and 
madam.  Allow  me."  He  drew  forth  a 
silver  box,  and,  with  a  graceful  bow, 
offered  them  a  pinch  of  snuff.  "  No  *? 
Very  well,  then,  as  I  told  you,  I  came  to 
the  stockade  for  a  bride,  sir '* 

"  Can  you  contemplate  taking  a  wedded 
wife,  sir  ?"  asked  Isabel. 

"  Certainly  not,"  answered  the  Colonel, 
smiling.  "  The  bride  I  have  come  for  is 
here." 

He   turned   to    Sarah,   slipped    his    arm 

around  her,  and  drew  her  closely  to  him. 

292 


And  Love's  Afield 


"  Sarah  I"  cried  Baird,  in  astonishment. 

"  Lady  Duane,  sir,  that  is  to  be,  if 
you  please,"  answered  Sir  Francis,  non- 
chalantly. 

"  Oh,  Sarah,  you  darling  I"  cried  Isabel, 
impulsively,  turning  toward  her.  "  I  am 
so  glad." 

"  This  alters  the  situation  somewhat," 
said  Baird,  "  but  it  doesn't  yet  effect  our 
escape.  Sir  Francis  is  still  a  prisoner.  If 
you  do  not  yield  up  your  sword  instantly, 
sir,  I  will  have  you  disarmed  by  the  guard 
yonder,"  he  continued,  pointing  to  four 
or  five  soldiers  of  the  guard,  who  were 
filing  into  the  room. 

Colonel  Duane  quickly  pulled  out  his 
watch. 

"  Half-after  ten  o'clock,"  he  said,  ap- 
parently disregarding  Baird's  remark  ;  "  they 
should  be  here  now.  Yes,  I  think  I  hear 
them  on  the  stairs.  If  we  have  been  in- 
formed correctly,  in  another  moment  they 

293 


When   Blades  are  Out 


will  be  in  the  hall.  Here  they  are,  gentle- 
men," he  cried,  as  the  door  was  broken  open 
and  the  room  was  filled  with  red-coated  sol- 
diers, who  overpowered  the  surprised  and 
starved  Americans  almost  without  a  strug- 
gle. Baird,  whipping  out  his  sword,  seized 
Isabel  and  retreated  to  the  stairway. 

"  You  are  now  my  prisoner,  Captain 
Baird,"  remarked  Sir  Francis,  calmly. 

"  We  are  betrayed  I"  cried  Baird. 
"  Without  there  !"  he  called,  loudly.  "  To 
the  rescue  I" 

"  'Tis  useless,  sir,  for  you  to  call  or  to 
make  resistance,"  continued  Sir  Francis ; 
"  my  soldiers  in  another  moment  will  be  in 
possession  of  the  stockade." 

As  he  spoke  a  shot  or  two  rang  out, 

there  was  a  brief  scuffle,  the   gates   were 

thrown  open,  and  the  enclosure  was  filled 

with  British  soldiery.     Baird  dropped  his 

sword. 

"  You    have    won,    sir,"    he    said.     "  I 

294 


And   Love's   Afield 


yield  my  sword.  I  am  your  prisoner. — Isa- 
bel, it  is  all  over,"  he  whispered. 

Sir  Francis'  first  action  was  not  very 
menacing. 

"  Go,  about  a  half-dozen  of  you,"  he 
said,  "  to  the  camp  and  bring  up  something 
to  eat  for  these  people. — Ah,  Justice  Bur- 
ton," he  added,  blandly,  as  the  tall  form  of 
the  old  Judge  was  seen  forcing  itself  through 
the  crowd,  "  I  bid  you  welcome  to  Over- 
brook.  It  will  give  me  great  pleasure  to 
put  you  in  possession  of  it  again.  Mean- 
while, we  are  about  to  have  a  wedding.  I 
believe  there  is  a  chaplain  or  a  clergyman 
present." 

"  I  congratulate  you  upon  your  capture, 
and  I  rejoice,  indeed,  that  you  have  come 
to  your  senses,"  cried  the  Judge,  delighted 
at  the  turn  of  affairs.  "  I  trust  that  Isabel 
is  in  the  same  mind,  and  that  she  now  ac- 
quiesces in  Colonel  Duane's  wedding." 

"  Of  course,  sir. — You  do  acquiesce  in 

295 


When   Blades  are  Out 


my  wedding,  don't  you,  madam  ?"  added 
Colonel  Duane,  turning  to  Isabel. 

"  Certainly,"  replied  Isabel,  smiling. 

"  That  is  well  I  Then  we  will  have  the 
ceremony  right  here  and  now  I" 

"  Oh  I"  cried  Sarah,  "  I  cannot,  I  can- 
not !" 

"  Did    you    not   promise  me,   madam, 
asked  the  Colonel  of  her,  "  that  I  should 
find  a  bride  at  the  top  of  the  hill  V 

"  Yes,  but  I  didn't  dream  that  you  would 
want  to  claim  her  now." 

"  I  have  waited  for  six  weeks  in  that  camp 
for  this  very  moment,  madam,  and  I  intend 
to  have  my  way.     Besides — 


5> 


5> 


"  Nonsense,  Sarah  I"  interrupted  the 
Judge  ;  "  why  do  you  interpose  ?  I  see  no 
reason  for  delay  at  all.  I  agree  with  Sir 
Francis  entirely." 

"  Do  you,  then,  sir,  consent  to  this  mar- 
riage *?"  asked  Sarah,  meaningly. 

"  Consent  *?      Is    the    woman    mad  *?     I 

296 


And  Love's  Afield 


urge  it  I  I  command  it  I  I  insist  upon 
it  I  'Tis  the  cherished  dream  of  my 
life  !" 

"Very  well,  sir,"  said  Sarah,  gravely, 
"  with  such  sanction  I  am  ready." 

She  placed  her  hand  in  that  of  the 
Colonel. 

"  Sarah  I"  cried  the  Judge,  "  are  you 
mad  ?     'Tis  Isabel  I" 

"  Mr.  Justice,"  calmly  interrupted  the 
Colonel,  "  would  you  have  me  marry  a 
married  woman  in  the  presence  of  her 
husband  ?" 

''  A  married  woman  I  Of  whom  do  you 
speak  V 

"Of  Madam  Curtis  Baird,"  said  the 
American  officer,  stepping  forward  in  his 
turn,  "  who  presumes  to  ask  a  father's 
blessing." 

The  Judge  fairly  frothed  at  the  mouth. 

"  Madam  Baird  ?"  he  cried.     "  When— 

how " 

297 


When   Blades  are  Out 


"  The  day  we  escaped,  sir,  here  at  Over- 
brook." 

"  And  who  has  dared " 

"  I,  sir,"  replied  Dr.  Forsyth,  who  had 
entered  the  room  a  short  time  before.  "  I 
took  great  pleasure  in  uniting  two  loyal 
American  hearts.  Allow  me  to  offer  you 
a  pinch  of  snuff;  you  seem  disturbed." 

"  This  is  infamous  I"  roared  the  Judge. 
"  Sir  Francis,  why  did  you  allow  it '?" 

"  It  is  a  little  late  in  the  day  for  me  to 
interfere.  Judge,"  said  Sir  Francis,  smiling ; 
"  and,  besides,  I  loved  Sarah.  I  loved  her 
the  first  time  I  saw  her,  all  the  time,  in  fact, 
and  she  has  consented  to  marry  me." 

"  By  Heaven  !"  said  the  Judge,  "  I  with- 
draw my  consent  I  I  will  leave  all  I  have 
to  an  orphan  asylum.  I  refuse  to  be 
present  at  such  a  sacrilegious  wedding  !" 

"  Why,  we  expect  you  to  give  away  the 

bride,"  added  the  Colonel,  still  smiling. 

"  I  won't  do  it  I" 

298 


ERHAPS  you  will  allow 

me  that  privilege,  then,"  a 

deep  voice   exclaimed,   as 

a  rather  stout  man  in  the 

uniform   of  an  American 

general    entered    the    room,   and,   pushing 

through   the   soldiers,  stopped,  facing  the 

Colonel.     He    was    followed    by   another 

officer.     "  I  should    like   to    render    some 

service  to  Miss  Sarah.     She  once  did  me 

a  good  turn,"  he  added. 

"  General    Greene,    by    Heaven  I"    ex- 

299 


When   Blades  are  Out 


claimed  Sir  Francis.  "  You  here  ^  And 
this  gentleman " 

"  Lieutenant-Colonel  Harry  Lee,  at  your 
service." 

"  This  looks  not  like  a  nuptial,"  cried  the 
Englishman.  "  What  do  you  here,  gentle- 
men ?" 

"  We  came  to  assist  at  the  wedding,"  an- 
swered the  General,  genially. 

The  Colonel  stepped  forward  and  drew 
his  pistol. 

"  General  Greene,  you  are  my  prisoner  I 
Form  up,  men  I  Handle  your  pieces  !"  he 
cried  to  his  soldiers. 

The  General  merely  smiled.  Lee  raised 
his  hand  to  his  lips  and  blew  a  whistle. 
Instantly  the  court-yard  was  filled  with  the 
green-uniformed  men  of  his  Legion. 

"  Fall  back,  Colonel  Duane !"  cried 
Greene.  "  You  are  overpowered ;  the 
whole  American  army  is  here !  The  en- 
closure is  surrounded  by  soldiers  who  out- 

300 


And   Love's  Afield 


number  yours  five  to  one.  We  have  four 
pieces  of  artillery  and  the  stockade  is  filled 
with  infantry  of  the  Legion.  Colonel 
Washington  is  in  possession  of  your 
camp.     Resistance  is  useless." 

"  Is  this  a  ruse,  sir  ?"  cried  Duane. 

"  I  pledge  you  my  word  of  honor,  sir, 
that  the  facts  are  as  I  stated.  Yield  you, 
sir ;  to  struggle  now  would  be  folly." 

"  I  surrender,"  answered  Sir  Francis, 
calmly,  after  a  momentary  reflection. 
"  Miss  Sarah,  may  I  ask  you  if  you  were 
aware  of  this  situation  T* 

"  Your  words  insult  me,  sir,"  she  replied, 
with  spirit.  "  We  have  stood  hand  in 
hand  upon  the  threshold  of  marriage,  and 
you  can  hurt  me  by  such  a  question  !" 

"  You  interfered  in  one  love-aftair,"  said 
the  Colonel ;  "  how  do  I  know  that 

"  How  dare  you — 


5> 


)> 


"  Let    me    compose    the    quarrel,"    said 

General   Greene.     "  The   information   was 

301 


When   Blades  are  Out 


brought  by  a  sergeant.  He  should  be 
here  now." 

"Here  I  am,  sir  I"  cried  Dade,  saluting 
and  smiling  at  his  Captain. 

"  Forgive  me,  Sarah  I"  cried  Sir  Francis. 
"  But  to  see  the  cup  of  happiness  snatched 
from  my  lips  as  I  was  about  to  quaff  it ;  to 
lose  you  after  this  long  wait ;  to  have  to 
give  you  up  now — I  release  you — I  am  a 
prisoner. — Take  me  away,  sir  I"  he  said, 
turning  to  the  General  and  offering  his 
sword.     But  Sarah  fled  to  his  side. 

"  General  Greene,"  she  cried,  "  he  is  my 
prisoner  ;  he  surrendered  to  me  !" 

"  And  I  would  be  very  far  from  robbing 
you  of  your  prisoner,  Miss  Sarah,"  said  the 
General,  smiling.  "  If  he  will  give  me  his 
parole  not  to  attempt  to  escape  from  your 
custody  and  not  to  bear  arms  against  the 
United  States,  he  may  go  free." 

"  I  will  give  it  for  him,"  answered  Sarah, 

promptly. 

302 


?  SwS^*-'-^'--*'^ 


I*'*} 


•% 

^^ 

1   "^1 

K-J 

1                     **  He  is  my  prisoner" 

MK^M 

1 

f^ 

'M 

And   Love's  Afield 


"  Nay,"  replied    the    General,    "  that    is 
scarcely  enough.     He  must — 


)? 


"  Miss  Burton  speaks  for  me,  General. 
Whatever  she  says,  I  do.     I  presume  that 

is  all  r 

"  There  is  something  else  to  attend  to," 
said  Sarah,  softly,  looking  at  him. 

"  What  else  ?" 

"  The  wedding,"  she  answered,  blush- 
ing. 

"  Will  you  still  marry  me  ?" 

"  I  am  ready,"  she  replied. 

"  General  Greene,"  said  Judge  Burton, 
"  you  will  not  allow " 

"  Pardon  me,  Mr.  Justice,"  answered  the 
American  General ;  "  I  have  agreed  to  give 
away  the  bride.  I  cannot  go  back  on  my 
own  word.  Cornet  Hale,"  he  said  to  the 
young  man,  who  was  contemplating  Sarah 
with  rueful  countenance,  "  will  be  the  best 
man.  Madam  Isabel  will  waive  her  wife- 
hood for  a  moment  and   be  the  maid  of 

303 


When   Blades  are  Out 


honor.  The  clergyman  stands  yonder,  so. 
there  is  a  wedding-party  complete." 

When  the  service  was  over,  taking  his 
prisoners,  among  whom  the  still  infuriated 
Judge  was  numbered,  General  Greene  with- 
drew from  the  hall.  Baird  and  Isabel  and 
Sarah  and  Duane  were  left  alone. 

"  You  can  bear  me  no  malice  now, 
Duane,"  said  Baird,  walking  over  to  him 
and  extending  his  hand. 

"None  whatever,"  answered  Duane, 
smiling,  as  he  met  the  other's  grasp. 
"  You  have — if  Madam  Baird  will  permit 
me — made  me  the  happiest  of  men." 

"  We  are  brothers  now,  then,"  answered 
the  American,  "  if  not  in  arms,  at  least  in 
affection. — Come,  Isabel,"  he  said,  turning 
away,  "  let  us  leave  them  together." 

"  Sarah,"  cried  Isabel,  as  she  went  up  the 
stairs,  "  you  are  a  born  match-maker — you 
and  Sergeant  Dade.  You  have  made  all 
of  us  happy,"  she  added  as  she  disappeared. 

304 


And   Love's  Afield 


"Are  you  happy,  Sir  Francis"?"  Sarah 
asked,  coming  over  to  him,  shpping  her 
arm  about  his  neck,  and  laying  her  head 
upon  his  shoulder  ;  "  are  you  happy  V 

"  So  happy,  my  own,  as  I  never  dreamed 
or  hoped  to  be  !" 

"  Are  vou  perfectly  satisfied  with  me  ?" 

"  Satisfied,  my  dearest,  is  a  word  which 
means  nothing.  I  am  so  humbly  filled 
with  joy  that  I  cannot  express  it." 

"  Even  though  you  are  a  prisoner?" 

"  I  would  rather  be  your  prisoner  than 
have  the  fieedom  of  the  rest  of  the  world  !" 

"  And  you  do  not  regret" — it  was  the 
old    mocking    voice    again — "  the    broad 


acres- 


"  I  have   all  the  broad  acres  I  want  in 
your  heart  I"  he  replied. 


THE    END 


20 


305 


This  book  must  not 
be  taken  from  the 
Library  building. 


